College Football: The Mount Rushmore for the 30 best programs of all time

Clemson Tigers: Dabo Swinney, Deshaun Watson, Banks McFadden, Terry Kinard

While the Clemson Tigers football program began back in 1896 and has won over 700 games, they have really become a powerhouse in recent years. The Tigers have won two of their three national championships in the last three seasons, led by a head coach who has definitely earned a spot on our Mount Rushmore for the school.

Dabo Swinney

Midway through the 2008 NCAA season, Dabo Swinney took over for Tommy Bowden as head coach of Clemson. Many scoffed at the move. However, over the last 10 years, Swinney has become an absolute legend in Death Valley, leading the Tigers to two of their three national titles in school history, while toppling his alma mater Alabama Crimson Tide twice in the process. As head coach, Swinney has a remarkable 116-30 record.

Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson is one of the more electric college football quarterbacks we have seen in a long time. In 2016, he led the Tigers to an improbable win over Alabama, who was seen as one of the best college football teams of all time. Watson led the Tigers to back-to-back national title appearances, including the win after the 2016 NCAA season. Over that span, he threw for over 8,600 yards and 76 touchdowns.

Banks McFadden

In the history of Clemson sports, there is no name that stands above Banks McFadden, who spent over 40 years with the school in some capacity. A multi-sport athlete during his playing days, McFadden was a two-time All-American in basketball and a 1939 All-American in football. McFadden helped the Tigers to the first bowl game victory in the history of the school. He had both his basketball and football jersey number retired by the school.

Terry Kinard

Terry Kinard’s Clemson career may have started with an injury, but it ended with him becoming one of the more dominant defensive backs in college football history. Kinard was twice named an All-American, winning the 1982 Defensive Player of the Year award. His 17 interceptions and 294 tackles are still a Clemson record for a defensive back. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.