Dabo despair: Clemson fans boo Tigers off field in drab first half vs UNC

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Yet again, things aren't going well for Clemson.

The Tigers are off a dreaded start against North Carolina, as Bill Belichick's squad has completely outplayed Dabo Swinney's team so far, and "Death Valley" has let it be known how dissatisfied it is.

Clemson started the game with a three-and-out and the boo birds immediately came out from Memorial Stadium, and it was just the start. North Carolina scored touchdowns on its first two possessions with relative ease while Clemson could only muster a field goal.

The Tar Heels jumped to a 17-3 as the Clemson offense struggled, but showed life before halftime by going down the field with a long 17-play, 88 yard drive. It was on the cusp of finding the end zone, but Clemson couldn't get it in and sent the field goal unit onto the field.

That's when the booing got louder.

Clemson took the 17-6 deficit into halftime after the poor first 30 minutes of football. Swinney is 19-36 when trailing at halftime, and on track to start the season 1-2 for the second straight season.

Dabo Swinney Clemson contract buyout

Swinney's buyout at Clemson would amount to $57 million if the university fired him without cause on or before Dec. 31, 2026, according to a copy of his contract obtained via USA TODAY Sports.

If Clemson fired Swinney without cause beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, the money due to him would be "the sum of the remaining base salary and supplemental compensation that would otherwise have been due" to him, plus an amount equal to the royalties that would have been payable to him.

Swinney does not have a duty to mitigate damages, which according to an amendment to his contract that went into effect on Aug. 22, 2023, would be paid out in equal installments over the remainder of his contract.

Dabo Swinney salary, contract details

Per an amendment to Swinney's contract, effective Jan. 1, 2022, he receives $3.5 million annually in royalties, paid in equal monthly installments, for the duration of his contract — as well as performance bonuses and supplemental compensation. Here is a look at what he is owed in the latter category over the remainder of his contract, beginning with the 2026 college football season:

  • 2026: $7.695 million
  • 2027: $7.695 million
  • 2028: $7.945 million
  • 2029: $8.195 million
  • 2030: $8.445 million
  • 2031: $8.695 million

Contributing: Matthew Glenesk and Zac Al-Khateeb

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dabo despair: Clemson fans boo Tigers off field in drab first half vs UNC

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