Swinney Listed among Names to Watch in Coaching Carousel
By: Gavin Oliver February 10, 2026

CBS Sports published an article on the college football coaching carousel, listing 25 coaches “to keep an eye on when the carousel starts spinning in 2026” and who “could be on the move after the 2026 season.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney appears on the list, checking in at No. 23 under the category of “considerable prying necessary.”

Here’s what CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford wrote about Swinney, who is entering his 19th season (and 18th full season) as Clemson’s head coach in 2026:

“Like the captain of the Titanic, Swinney will go down with the ship and would be kicking and screaming on his way out if it comes to that. Stubborn in ways with the Tigers, the two-time national champion hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2019 season and just hired Chad Morris as his new offensive coordinator. Yeah, that Chad Morris, who’s coaching career since starring as Clemson’s play-caller from 2011-14 consists of failed head coaching tenures at SMU, Arkansas and one year as Auburn’s OC.”

Swinney’s Tigers head into the 2026 campaign hoping to bounce back from a 7-6 record in 2025, the second-worst season in Swinney’s tenure at Clemson.

Swinney has a career head coaching record of 187-53. He is Clemson’s all-time winningest coach, the winningest coach in ACC history and the first coach to lead the Tigers to multiple national championships. The Tigers have won nine ACC titles under Swinney, including eight in the last 11 seasons, while he has guided Clemson to seven College Football Playoff appearances.

Swinney and Georgia’s Kirby Smart are the only active coaches with multiple national titles. In 13 of the last 15 years, Swinney’s Clemson program has won 10-plus games.

Among other notable coaches mentioned in CBS Sports’ coaching carousel article include Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., North Carolina offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White.  

Clemson is set to face all of the aforementioned teams during the 2026 regular season, with the exception of Louisville. The Tigers open the season at LSU (Sept. 5) and will play host to North Carolina (Sept. 19), Miami (Oct. 3) and South Carolina (Nov. 28).