There was a time not too long ago when some people thought the Clemson football program had fallen off. Fast forward to the present, and there’s a much different narrative around Dabo Swinney’s program.

After capturing yet another ACC Championship and returning to the College Football Playoff last season, Clemson is widely viewed as one of the best teams in college football entering the 2025 campaign. There’s been no shortage of preseason hype and praise for the Tigers, who are considered a legitimate national championship contender this year, with their talent level and returning production among other factors.

However, in recent years, some were having conversations about whether Swinney’s program had dropped off from its usual spot at the top of the ACC and among college football’s elite teams. So, what does it say about Clemson’s consistency as a program that there’s a perennial expectation of “National Championship or bust” for the Tigers?

Swinney was asked that question on Thursday during his press conference at the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte.

“Well, I think we’ve earned that through consistency,” he said.

Speaking to that consistency, Swinney pointed to the fact that Clemson posted its 14th consecutive season with nine or more wins in 2024 – tying Florida State (1987-2000) for the third-longest streak in major college football history behind only Nebraska (33 straight nine-win seasons, 1969-2001) and Alabama (17, 2008-24).

“We did something last year that only four teams in 160 years of college football have done,” Swinney said. “Nebraska did it with Coach [Tom] Osborne. Coach [Bobby] Bowden at Florida State, Coach [Nick] Saban at Alabama, and now Clemson. 14 straight nine-plus win seasons, 13 of those 10-plus win seasons. We’ve earned that through consistency.”

Clemson’s 13 seasons with 10-plus wins since 2011 are tied with Alabama for the most in the nation over that span.

Before Clemson’s 10-win streak concluded in 2023, Clemson’s 12 consecutive 10-win seasons from 2011-22 were the third-longest streak in FBS history, alongside Saban-era Alabama squads and Bowden-era Florida State teams.

Swinney pointed out that not only have the Tigers been remarkably consistent on the field, but off the field in the classroom as well. And consistent from the standpoint of their retention rate – keeping players at Clemson, which is unique in today’s landscape with the transfer portal.

“That’s really for us what it’s always been about, just being incredibly consistent,” Swinney said. “We’re not perfect, but we’re incredibly consistent. That’s because we’re purpose driven and we’re relationship driven. I think our program reflects that purpose in everything, in every aspect. We’ve got the highest graduation rate in America. 13 out of the last 14 years, we’ve been top 10 academically. We’re the only school in America 14 years in a row, top 25 in football and academics. We’re a place that really values education.

“Again, that’s the start of our purpose, and the kids that come there, they align with that. It’s a holistic approach, and we’ve won, as well. In the craziest probably three years of college football, not only are we tops in the country in graduation, we’re top in the country in retention. Fewest players leaving your program.”

Added Swinney: “So, we’re purpose driven, we’re relationship driven, and we’ve created a ton of consistency. Not just in winning, but we’ve been incredibly consistent with how we’ve won, and that’s by fulfilling the purpose that drives our program and drives the habits within our program every day.”