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Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Gives Concerning Answer to Question on Donor Apathy
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- Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Gives Concerning Answer to Question on Donor Apathy
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Gives Concerning Answer to Question on Donor Apathy
Before round six of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Clemson Tigers had nine players selected.
The talent on Clemson's team didn't match the team's record. Despite steady investment into the program, the Tigers finished with a 7-6 record.
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In the offseason, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was given ample resources to go after an elite quarterback to help put the program on par with Miami for the ACC and make a bid for the College Football Playoff. Swinney opted to put resources in the defense.
As a result, the offense has struggled this season with the suspect quarterback play of Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds and a lackluster offensive line.
It could be argued that given the way Clemson has mismanaged its roster and the transfer portal, the donor base might not be motivated to give the program a ton of money for the 2027 campaign.
In response to a question about Clemson fans checking out and the potential for donor apathy, Swinney tried to sidestep the question.
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"I'm just worried about having a great Tuesday practice," Swinney said , via Chapel Fowler of The State.
Given the totality of the news conference, which included Swinney saying he didn't regret his decision not to add a quarterback in the transfer portal, and his comment earlier in the week that the Tigers are fine with their general manager situation, it was a concerning answer for the future of the program.
Swinney has the final say in football decisions at Clemson. But ultimately, donors have the power to make life incredibly difficult for Swinney by pulling back funding. The question is certainly one that should have his attention.
Instead, Swinney is trying to act like nothing is wrong in a major way with the program. Clemson fans and donors might disagree. If Swinney isn't careful, he could have to build a winning roster with a shoestring budget.
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Swinney believes Clemson is in the process of building the program back to be at the top, but this group is going through growing pains.
Look, rebuilding seasons happen. But that's not the tone Swinney took about this team in the summer. He mocked the idea that people didn't believe he'd have Clemson back in the CFP conversation this year.
The results thus far have not been good. In today's college football, coaches have to get more people on board than the players to win games. He can't forget the donors, who fund the roster .
