Dabo Swinney Puts SEC Coach On Blast For Alleged Tampering

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Dabo Swinney Puts SEC Coach On Blast For Alleged Tampering

No coach in college football has seen his program fall off harder than Clemson's Dabo Swinney amid the rise of NIL deals and the transfer portal. The situation has gotten him so upset that he's now putting opposing head coaches on blast publicly for "tampering" with his team.

On Friday, Swinney addressed the recent transfer portal flip of ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Ferrelli after the former Cal linebacker decommitted from Clemson and instead chose Ole Miss at the 11th hour. Swinney called out Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding for tampering, accusing him and Ole Miss GM Austin Thomas of tampering.

Swiney said that Golding contacted Ferrelli to offer him a $1 million contract while Ferrelli was in the middle of class. He likened the situation to "having an affair on your honeymoon."

Evidence?

Swinney then announced that he has reported Ole Miss for tampering and offered evidence.

"I've always just kind of stayed in my lane and handled my business, and I've stayed focused on Clemson, but I am not going to let someone just flat out tamper with my program," Swinney said at his press conference. "If you tamper with my players, I'm going to turn you in."

Swinney said he warned Ole Miss that he would do so and that Fornelli's agent even offered to send him evidence of the text messages that would show clear tampering.

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Pete Golding smiles from the stage after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images© Amber Searls-Imagn Images.

But college football fans have largely dismissed the notion that Ole Miss could get into any sort of trouble over this. Even if the NCAA did have the power to enforce such things – and it's unclear if they even can anymore without getting sued into oblivion – most are saying that it's just a normal part of the game these days.

"It’s not tampering when he’s in the portal still lol," one user remarked.

"It’s 2026, Dabo. Quit being a (expletive) and adapt to the times," wrote another.

"New level of cope discovered," a third wrote.

"Dabo sounds like a total buffoon."

Swinney's Clemson Tigers are coming off a brutal 7-6 season – their worst campaign since 2010. But since he won't change his own approach to player acquisition, he seems content to just complain about others who do.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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