Clemson football’s incredible journey to becoming Alabama’s equal

October 13, 2008

After starting the season off 3-3, Tommy Bowden resigned from his position as head coach of the Clemson Tigers. His resignation left a clear void in the program and athletic director Terry Don Phillips decided to go with a young receivers coach with a gift for recruiting named Dabo Swinney. Swinney’s energetic and fun-loving attitude made him an intriguing coaching hire but was met with much scrutiny nonetheless.

ESPN‘s Pat Forde called the hire a “What were they thinking?” hire and mentioned Dabo alongside Gene Chizik at Iowa State and Lane Kiffin with the Oakland Raiders. Swinney finished up the year with the Tigers above .500 and that includes a win over the South Carolina Gamecocks and their new coach Steve Spurrier.

On December 1, 2008, Swinney was named the permanent coach for the Tigers and in his introductory press conference he was asked a simple question, “Do you think Clemson’s taking a gamble on you?” and although his answer of “no” would be correct, it wouldn’t be until a few years later when he would prove it.