CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney does not get it, or at least that is how it seems.
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Swinney was asked about possibly having someone from outside the program come in and help the with roster decisions – basically a true general manager, if you will.
Swinney’s response: “I am going to make the roster decisions as the head coach. I don’t make them all by myself. Collectively, that is what we do. But we are not going to hire somebody to come in and say, ‘Hey, this is your roster.’”
Like I said, Swinney does not get it.
This is not the answer Clemson, its boosters or fans wanted to hear.
Why?
Because they have heard this before.
Swinney has said in the past he was the guy who will make the finals decisions when it comes to his roster, yet the decisions he made did not work out for the Tigers.
Case in point, the 2026 football season.
Yes, the Tigers are still in the mix for a possible shot at the ACC Championship Game, but a lot has to happen for the Tigers to get there.
Also, having a shot at playing for an ACC Championship is not what those who helped Clemson raise somewhere between $25 million to $30 million for its football roster signed up for.
They want to play for championships and win them. They want to play in the College Football Playoff,
They are not getting their return on investment, especially on the offensive side of the football.
Who did that $30 million go to?
It’s obvious it did not go to areas of significant need on offense. I am sure they spent the money, but did they spend it the way it needed to be spent.
With the offense ranked near the bottom in the ACC in terms of scoring and yards, as well as being ranked 137 out of 138 teams nationally in red zone TD conversions, the ROI is not very good.
When left in Swinney’s hands following last year’s horrid 7-6 season, Swinney did not try to bring in a quarterback of any substance from the transfer portal and he failed to land any offensive linemen. These were two specific areas of need.
Instead, he went with inexperienced offensive linemen and then settled for a freshman quarterback who was forced to grow up way earlier than anyone expected.
Had Swinney gone an addressed these two areas of need in the portal, the Tigers likely would be tied with Wake Forest for second place in the ACC and in way better position to make the conference title game than they are at the moment.
But he did not, and that decision cost Clemson the Virginia Tech game and possibly could cost them when they play at Duke on Nov. 21. I can’t say it for sure, but regardless what happens this weekend, the Tigers will likely be an underdog when it heads to Durham, N.C., a week from Friday.
That’s right!?
Clemson will be an underdog against Duke. That should never been the case, especially when Clemson spent somewhere between $25-$30 million dollars for its football roster.
Swinney wants to have final say on his football roster. I understand why he wants to keep that power.
However, he needs to start asking why no one else wants him to have it anymore.