‘It’s Very Sad’ — Ex-NFL DT Sounds Off on Dabo Swinney’s State at Clemson After Brutal 51–10 Loss to LSU
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Clemson entered Baton Rouge with plenty of expectations surrounding its showdown against LSU, but the night turned into a difficult test for Dabo Swinney and his program. The result has already led to questions about where Clemson stands as college football continues to change around it.
For Swinney, the challenge is no longer simply winning games, but also navigating a sport that looks very different from the era in which he built Clemson into a national powerhouse.
Breiden Fehoko Questions Dabo Swinney’s Future After Clemson’s LSU Collapse
Former LSU defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko weighed in on Swinney’s situation after Clemson’s 51-10 loss, pointing toward the financial pressures created by NIL and the transfer portal as part of the problem facing longtime coaches.
Fehoko shared his thoughts on X, writing, “It’s very sad to see one of the greatest college coaches, Dabo Swinney, get pushed out the game financially. When you think about all the coaches NIL/portal forced out of college football, it’s sad. You either retire a hero or coach long enough to become the villain.”
The comments came after Clemson suffered its worst defeat during Swinney’s full-time tenure. After an early interception, LSU responded to a 3-0 deficit with 51 points, leaving Clemson with little opportunity to recover. The Tigers managed only 145 total yards, while LSU produced 644.
Sam Leavitt, making his first start after transferring from Arizona State, accounted for 343 total yards and three touchdowns. Winston Watkins Jr. added seven catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Dilin Jones rushed for 113 yards and two scores.
The result also mattered because of the recent debate over how some programs were building their rosters. Swinney had criticized the idea of former NFL preseason players returning to college football, while LSU coach Lane Kiffin was at the center of that eligibility dispute in the buildup to the game.
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During halftime, with LSU already ahead 31-3, Kiffin chose to rub salt in the wound, saying, “Imagine if we had pro players.”
Fehoko also questioned Clemson’s coaching decisions, specifically its choice to bring back Chad Morris as offensive coordinator. In another post, he wrote, “Stop employing washed coaches and start giving young upcoming minds a shot.”
Earlier, Fehoko also took aim at LSU over its handling of the roster controversy, questioning the way Kiffin handled the disputed players who were ultimately left off LSU’s opening-game roster. He argued that the situation created unnecessary drama and potentially affected their professional prospects.
For Clemson, however, the immediate concern is the football itself. A 41-point defeat leaves Swinney facing difficult questions about his program’s direction as college football continues to reward aggressive roster management.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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