October 13 for most of us is just another day. For Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, it represents the birth of his head coaching career at Clemson.

On October 13, 2008, Tommy Bowden stepped down as the head coach football coach at Clemson and recommended Swinney as his replacement, at least on an interim basis. Swinney followed by guiding the Tigers to four wins in the final six games of the regular season, including a win over archrival South Carolina in the finale.

That earned him the permanent head coaching position.

“This is always a day of reflection for me. It is always a special day for me,” Swinney said.

Since that October day in 2008, Swinney has accomplished many things as the head coach of the Tigers. He has won 72 percent of his games. His teams have won 88 percent at home. Since 2011, Clemson is 30-2 in Death Valley, and currently has won 13 straight games there, which is tied for a school record they tied in 2012.

They have wins over seven top 10 teams. They won games over LSU, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Notre Dame. They have won the three straight bowl games, including the Orange Bowl. They won an ACC Championship, two Atlantic Division titles, four consecutive 10-win seasons and two top 10 seasons.

The Tigers, who are currently ranked No. 5 in the latest Associated Press top 25, have been ranked in the final top 25 polls in each of the last four seasons.

“I thought about it a few days ago and actually mentioned it to the team,” Swinney said on Tuesday. “Over a seven-year period here, it is amazing to me what we have been able to get accomplished with this program.

“We set out on October 13, 2008 to change the culture here. To create a better brand, if you will, and to do things the right way … I’m so thankful to that group of guys that bought into that message and to all the players who have come through here.”

Swinney also had praise for Bowden and former athletic director Terry Don Phillips. They gave him the opportunity to prove himself.

“I’m forever grateful to those two guys for giving me the opportunity to come to Clemson and then to have the opportunity to be the head coach here,” he said. “So it is a special day for me, and again, a day for reflection.”

It just happens to be a coincidence Swinney and the Tigers are coming off last week’s victory over Georgia Tech – the first team he faced as the interim head coach in 2008 – and is getting ready to play Boston College – the first team he beat as the interim head coach.

The Tigers (5-0, 2-0 ACC) will host the Eagles on Saturday at 7 p.m.

This year BC (3-3, 0-3 ACC) comes in with the nation’s top ranked defense in terms of yards allowed, rushing defense and passing defense. It also ranks second in scoring defense.

“Boston College is always tough, always tough,” Swinney said. “They are a challenge each and every year.”

But the Eagles will be Swinney’s worry on Saturday. As for Tuesday, it was mostly about his time as Clemson’s head coach and where he feels the program is headed in the next seven years.