When he was growing up, no one at his school was a bigger Clemson fan than Will Swinney, and it had nothing to do with his famous father – Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney.

Like his dad was with Alabama growing up, all the youngest Swinney knew was Clemson. When Swinney came to Clemson in 2003 to be Tommy Bowden’s wide receivers coach, Will was just a toddler.

At the time, he knew his dad coached at Clemson and that his neighbor, Jeff Davis, worked at Clemson and was the Tigers’ All-American linebacker on the 1981 National Championship Team.

Like his father, Will became obsessed with sports, especially football. He fell in love with the Clemson Tigers and learned everything he could about the history of the football program. He was so enamored by Clemson, one year he asked for a DVD copy of the 1982 Orange Bowl for his Christmas present. He watched it so many times he knew every play and could tell you every player on the team.

Dabo said he would wear the DVD out watching it so many times when they went on vacations or to see the family back in Alabama.

Will became so good at Clemson football trivia he would try to stump Clemson Sports Information Director for football, Tim Bourret.

So when Will, who played at nearby Daniel High School, signed his letter-of-intent to play for his father at Clemson University last Wednesday, it was a dream come true in so many different levels.

“He is excited. He is excited about being a Clemson Tiger,” Dabo said. “This is his dream. Very few young men get the opportunity to achieve their dream and it is just special to me to watch him.”

Dabo describe his relationship with his oldest son as an unbelievable one. The two are as close as a father and a son can be. Since he was a little boy, Dabo has coached his baseball teams, helped with his basketball teams and supported Will all the way on the gridiron, too.

“I coached him in camps every summer since he could walk,” Dabo smiled proudly. “I really have not gotten involved in his football stuff other than just really being a dad.”

Dabo looks forward to coaching his son at Clemson, who he says will get the opportunity to compete for the holding job on extra points and field goals. Seth Ryan, the son of former NFL coach Rex Ryan, has graduated after being the holder for the Tigers the last two seasons.

“He knows me,” Dabo said. “Trust me, he knows when I’m out on this field, I’m Coach. I’m going to help him get better and he will be just like everyone else … jump in line and go compete. That’s just the way it is.”

Dabo said his son has earned the opportunity to live out his dream of playing for Clemson.

“I’m telling you, and I have done this a long time, I have never recruited anybody who has worked harder to make his dream happen, and to prepare himself to be the very best that he could be in all areas,” Dabo said. “It really just makes me proud. He has a 4.something, something, something, something. It is just unbelievable. I’m just really proud of him.”

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