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Is Dabo Swinney leaving Clemson or getting fired? Latest news, updates on Tigers coach
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- Is Dabo Swinney leaving Clemson or getting fired? Latest news, updates on Tigers coach
Dabo Swinney is in the middle of his worst season as Clemson football coach as the Tigers head into their road game with Louisville in Week 12.
Clemson (4-5, 3-4 ACC) plays at No. 21 Louisville (7-2, 4-2) on Nov. 14 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
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The Tigers were expected to contend for a national championship and make the College Football Playoff, but Clemson 's 20-year bowl streak is in jeopardy.
Clemson needs two wins in its final three games to make a bowl game.
Could Dabo Swinney leave Clemson for Auburn or Arkansas ?
Dabo Swinney has said that he has no interest in leaving Clemson. But that hasn't stopped media and message board speculation.
This week the rumors have included going to Auburn and replacing Hugh Freeze, who was fired Nov. 2, or going to Arkansas and replacing Sam Pittman, who was fired Sept. 28.
What Dabo Swinney's son Clay Swinney said about Clemson's season
During one of Dabo Swinney's toughest coaching years in his 17 full seasons at Clemson, his youngest son, holder Clay Swinney , has seen him challenged for the first time in a long time.
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"Obviously in a season like this, it's an extremely difficult spot to be the leader because everyone looks toward you, but I think he's built for it and I think he's done an incredible job," Clay Swinney said on Nov. 11.
Clay Swinney still sees Tigers players attentive to Dabo Swinney despite having "heartbreaking losses" to LSU , Georgia Tech and Duke.
More: How Dabo Swinney reacted to son Clay scoring on Clemson trick play vs FSU for 2-point conversion
"Throughout this season there's been a lot of conversations that we've had and he's had with former players, current players, colleagues that I don't think he would trade," Clay Swinney said. "Those moments go a long way, and ultimately, will be a part of building something special in the future, and you'll look back and be like, 'Man, couldn't have done it without 2025. '"
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What Dabo Swinney said Nick Saban told him
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban said he spoke with Swinney leading up to Clemson's win over Florida State in Week 11. Despite being former rivals who faced each other in the national championship twice, Swinney said they had a conversation where Saban wished him well despite Clemson's rough start.
"Listen, if you coached long enough, and you coached long enough, sooner and later, you'll have a season like this," Swinney recalled of his conversation with Saban after the Florida State game. "There's opportunity in every situation, and I know you'll take advantage of this opportunity."
Saban said on ESPN's "College GameDay" he doesn't think Swinney will leave Clemson despite the Tigers' struggles this season.
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"It would surprise me," Saban said Nov. 8. "In my conversation with him, he never mentioned that. He was totally focused on what his teams need to do to have success."
Is Dabo Swinney worried about getting fired by Clemson?
Swinney joked that he wouldn't blame Clemson athletic director Graham Neff, who was at the postgame press conference, for firing him after the loss to Duke in Week 10. Still, Swinney said he is committed to Clemson .
"Unless Graham sends me packing, I'm showing up Monday," Swinney said. "I'm gonna be here, and we will finish. It's a great opportunity for these freshmen who are gonna have a lot of great moments and they'll win a championship before they get out of here.
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"I promise you for because, for 17 years, that's happened here."
What is Dabo Swinney's record at Clemson?
Swinney has won two national championships at Clemson, and the Tigers made the 12-team College Football Playoff last season, losing in the first round.
Swinney is 184-52 and in his 17th full season at Clemson's coach.
The Tigers won the national championship in the 2016 and 2018 seasons. They lost in the championship game in the 2015 and 2019 seasons.
What is Dabo Swinney's buyout at Clemson?
If Clemson were to fire Swinney "without cause," the school would owe him $60 million this season as part of his buyout.
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If Swinney were to take another college job, he would owe Clemson $4 million. If he were to take the Alabama job, his alma mater, he would owe Clemson $6 million.
Swinney would not owe any money if he accepted an NFL head coach position as long as he or his agent "notify" Neff prior to discussions for other employment.
Dabo Swinney contract, salary details
Swinney is the No. 4 highest-paid coach in college football, according to USA TODAY's 2025 compensation survey. The Tigers coach is set to earn a total of $11,447,025, not including bonuses, which ranks No. 1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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Swinney's salary for 2025 could go up based on potential bonuses. Bonuses paid for 2024-25 include $100,000 connected with team academic achievement that was allocated among the staff.
How old is Dabo Swinney?
Dabo Swinney is 55 years old. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama , in 1969, but he went to Pelham High School and then played receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide .
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Could Dabo Swinney get fired by Clemson? A look at buyout, contract
