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Clemson's Dabo Swinney accuses Ole Miss of tampering with Luke Ferrelli
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- Clemson's Dabo Swinney accuses Ole Miss of tampering with Luke Ferrelli
CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney will address the media for the first time in 2026 on Jan. 23 (3:30 p.m. ET).
He is scheduled to speak along with new offensive coordinator Chad Morris first from 3:30-3:55 to discuss staff changes, Morris' return to Clemson and other related topics, per the school release.
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Then, Swinney will discuss Clemson's transfer portal commitments and "big-picture items related to roster management" from 3:55-4:30. Clemson athletic director Graham Neff will join Swinney during this portion to "provide additional insight from Clemson athletics."
Clemson (7-6) had its second-worst season ever under Swinney after missing the ACC championship and College Football Playoff in 2025. This led to Clemson firing former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley after three seasons, then hiring Morris, who was the team's offensive coordinator from 2011-14.
The down season also led to Clemson setting a single-season transfer record with 10 players. However, the Tigers lost linebacker Luke Ferrelli , who transferred to Clemson on Jan. 7 and was reportedly attending classes and team workouts then reentered the portal on Jan. 16 to go to Ole Miss .
Swinney is expected to address these topics and more on Jan. 23.
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Dabo Swinney press conference updates
Dabo Swinney says Ole Miss tampered with Luke Ferrelli
Swinney "provide clarity" on Ferrelli leaving Clemson, giving a timeline of events of Ferrelli transferring to Clemson, decommitting from the Tigers and transfer to Ole Miss.
Swinney mentioned Ole Miss coach Pete Golding and general manager Austin Thomas by name, expressing both tampered with Ferrelli, including texting the linebacker even when Clemson threatened to turn Ole Miss in to the NCAA for tampering.
"We have a broken system, and if there are no consequences for tampering, then we have no rules and we have no governance," Swinney said.
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After Ole Miss continued to contact Ferrelli, Swinney said he turned in the evidence into the NCAA on Jan. 16 and reported the matter to AD Graham Neff and ACC commissioner Jim Phillips.
"If you tamper with my players, I'm going to turn you in," Swinney said.
Neff said Clemson is "exploring" legal options, too.
Dabo Swinney's solutions to fix college football
Swinney said the current college football calendar is "stupid." He said schools are firing coaches early in the season to get ahead of the portal. He added players are entering the portal during the CFP despite being in the tournament and coaches are leaving early, like Lane Kiffin, to get ahead of the calendar and set up his new roster.
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One of Swinney's solution is make the transfer portal a 10-day window in March to July. He said this will allow schools to not fire coaches midseason and fewer players will be forced to enter the portal.
Another is getting rid of spring practice. He wants there to be 18 days up to a coach's discretion that can be spread out from February to June. Swinney added an adjusted calendar will protect college football's postseason and from players from making "emotional decisions" with more time to assess.
Swinney said he's always been against employees in college football but recognizes congressional help and collective bargaining may be needed to protect the collegiate model.
Dabo Swinney explains why Clemson did not take a transfer portal quarterback
Swinney said it was his decision for Clemson to not take a transfer portal quarterback.
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"You can get in that sweepstakes but you won't be able to keep the guys we were able to retain," Swinney said.
Swinney and Morris said their QB room is talented with Vizzina being the leader entering spring practice, but will have to win the competition in the offseason.
"We're committed to the guys in the room," Swinney said.
Clemson coaching hires for 2026
Swinney announced the following coaches to his staff:
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Tajh Boyd - QB coach
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Lonnie Galloway - senior offensive assistant
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Mike Miller - assistant to OC Chad Morris
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Jacoby Ford - assistant WR coach/player development
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Artavis Scott - assistant RB coach
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Brad Glenn - player development coach/assistant tight ends coach
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Freddie Kitchens - unpaid volunteer analyst
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Thomas Allen - defensive passing game coordinator
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Nolan Turner - safeties coach
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Corico Wright - nickel cornerbacks coach
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Jayron Kearse - student assistant coach
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Dennis Love - strength and conditioning coach
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Anthony Lazard - assistant strength and conditioning coach
Who Clemson, Dabo Swinney have added, lost in transfer portal for 2026
Additions:
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Wingate WR Jaylen Brown-Wallace
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SMU RB Chris Johnson Jr.
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Howard DL CJ Wesley
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Colorado DE London Merritt
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Oklahoma DT Markus Strong
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West Georgia DT Kourtney Kelly
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Auburn CB Donovan Starr
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DE Caden Story (entered portal but withdrew his name)
Losses:
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LB Luke Ferrelli (transferred to Clemson but reentered portal to transfer to Ole Miss)
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WR Parker Fulghum
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OL Rowan Byrne
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DE Markus Dixon
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TE Josh Sapp
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CB Michael Manaka
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S Rob Billings
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RB Keith Adams Jr.
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LB Dee Crayton
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CB Shelton Lewis
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ATH Marquise Henderson
What coaches Clemson, Dabo Swinney hired, lost for 2026
Hired:
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Offensive coordinator Chad Morris
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Nickel cornerbacks coach Corico Wright (reported hire)
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Strength coach Dennis Love (promoted)
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Assistant WR coach Jacoby Ford
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Offensive player development coach Artavis Scott
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Assistant coach Freddie Kitchens
Lost:
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Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley (fired)
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Safeties coach Mickey Conn (fired)
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Strength coach Joey Batson (retired)
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Senior offensive assistant/assistant QB coach John Grass (hired as Samford's coach)
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Offensive player development/assistant WR coach Drew Swinney (hired as Samford WR coach)
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Offensive player development intern Paul Tyson (hired as Samford QB coach)
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Director of special teams Will Gilchrist (hired as Samford special teams coordinator)
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Offensive player development/assistant OL coach Brandon Thomas (hired as Samford OL coach)
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Offensive assistant/assistant RB coach Montralius Mosley (hired as Samford RB coach/chief of staff)
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Offensive analyst/ assistant RB coach Andrew Zow (hired as Samford assistant)
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson's Dabo Swinney says Ole Miss tampered with Luke Ferrelli
