Calls Mount for Removal of $115 Million Coach After Bowl Game Loss
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Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers opened the college football season ranked as the No. 4 team, but it’s safe to say that this year was one of the most underwhelming in program history.
Despite returning a college football-high 16 players from a team that won the ACC and made the College Football Playoff in 2024, the Tigers flopped massively. They opened the year with a 1-3 record, and limped to a 7-5 record to conclude the regular season. Although playing in Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State certainly wasn’t the initial goal, winning the game would have been a nice finish to a tough season.
Instead, the Tigers delivered one final lackluster performance against a Penn State team led by interim head coach Terry Smith. The Nittany Lions ended up winning 22-10 behind quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer’s 262 yards passing and two touchdown throws.
The loss dropped Clemson to 7-6, marking their worst finish to a season since 2010. It also led to many fans across social media calling for Swinney’s firing, as the 56-year-old head coach has shown a reluctance to advance with the transfer portal and NIL times.
“Just Fire Dabo. It’s over for him. Yikes,” wrote one user.
“I’m just gonna say this. If Dabo doesn’t take this offseason as seriously as he needs to (coaching changes and Portal especially a QB) he will be gone in less than 2 years. If he can’t see the glaring problems then he shouldn’t be our head coach anymore point blank period,” said a second.
“Please fire Dabo..it’s time. I’m sorry but it’s time,” commented another.
“Fire Dabo,” added a fourth.
“They are going to fire Dabo,” predicted one fan.
“Realistically, I think it needs to start from the top. Fire Dabo and Riley,” suggested another.
“Fire dabo please,” begged another.
While fans certainly have a right to be frustrated, Clemson is really in no position to move on from Swinney. Top-tier candidates such as Lane Kiffin (LSU), Jon Sumrall (Florida), Matt Campbell (Penn State) and Bob Chesney (UCLA) have all found new landing spots.
In addition to there being slim pickings for a new head coach, moving on from Swinney would also be quite the expensive decision. Swinney signed a 10-year deal worth $115 million in 2022, and according to USA TODAY, his buyout is a whopping $60 million.
That said, the 18-year head coach will need to adjust how he builds his program, as bringing in four transfers like last year’s cycle won’t cut it. He may also have to look at the coaches around him and determine if they are worth bringing back.
Needless to say, Swinney has some important decisions to make in the coming future.
Related: Big Ten Program Loses QB to Transfer Portal Before College Football Playoff Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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