CLEMSON — I was sitting in a Toccoa, Ga., office early Wednesday afternoon when a friend, a diehard Clemson fan, asked me the question every Clemson fan I speak with asks me at some point or another.

“Do you think Dabo Swinney will go to Alabama when Nick Saban retires?”

My answer is always the same, “Probably.”

Now that is my opinion. Little did I know two hours later news would break that Nick Saban was retiring from college football.

All of sudden, a hypothetical question has become real.

Since Clemson first beat Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Tiger fans have dreaded this day. The very thought Dabo Swinney could leave Clemson for Alabama is horrifying for them to think about.

So, will I be right? Will Dabo Swinney leave Clemson if Alabama comes calling?

Good question.

In my opinion, I think he will.

In case you are wondering, what is in it for Clemson if Swinney does leave for Alabama? How about $7.5 million. That is what Swinney will have to pay Clemson within 90 days of his notice should he take the job at Alabama.

Why do I think Swinney could leave for Alabama?

First off, Swinney is from Alabama. He was born there. He was raised in the small town of Pelham, Ala., located just outside Birmingham.

He grew up cheering on the Tide. Like all Alabama fans of that era, he grew up a huge Bear Bryant fan. Swinney admitted on several occasions he was that kid that was always wearing an Alabama t-shirt to school every day.

His dream growing up was to play for the Crimson Tide. So, what did he do, he got himself enrolled at Alabama and then walked on to the football team.

Swinney eventually worked his way from walk-on, to scout team, to reserve wide receiver, to starter. In his last season as a player, he started in the Tide’s Sugar Bowl win over Miami to win the 1992 National Championship.

When he graduated, Gene Stallings asked Swinney to join his staff as a graduate assistant, which turned into an eight-year coaching career in Tuscaloosa.

Swinney’s passion for Alabama has followed him to Clemson. Every time he gets an opportunity he will talk fondly of Alabama, even when talking about the Clemson-South Carolina Rivalry.

But it is not just Swinney that loves Alabama. Alabama loves Swinney, too.

He is one of their own. Not only did he grow up in Alabama. Not only did he attend Alabama. Not only did he play football for Alabama. Not only did he help Alabama win a national championship. Not only did he coach at Alabama, but he beat Alabama and he did it twice.

Nothing garners the respect of the Alabama fan base more than beating the Crimson Tide. And Swinney did not just beat them in a regular season game. No, he beat them twice in the national championship game, and once by 28 points.

Though there will be a process, Alabama will do its due diligence in finding a new coach. You can bet guys like Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin and Dan Lanning will also get a call.

But none of them are Alabama guys. Only one of them is cut from the same cloth. Only one of them truly bleeds Crimson and White. Unfortunately, Clemson, Dabo Swinney is that guy.