Is Dabo Swinney on the hot seat as Clemson football coach?
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Dabo Swinney is in the middle of his worst season as Clemson football coach since 2010 as the Tigers play Furman in Week 13.
Clemson (5-5) hosts Furman (6-5) on Nov. 22 (4:30 p.m. ET, The CW) at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers can clinch a bowl game for the 21st straight season with a win.
The Tigers were expected to contend for a national championship and make the College Football Playoff, but Clemson will fall well short of that in 2025.
Could Dabo Swinney leave Clemson for Arkansas or Auburn?
Dabo Swinney has said that he has no interest in leaving Clemson. But that hasn’t stopped media and message board speculation.
There was some buzz about Swinney going to Auburn and replacing Hugh Freeze, who was fired Nov. 2, or going to Arkansas and replacing Sam Pittman, who was fired Sept. 28.
But that speculation has died down this week as those programs appear headed in another direction.
What’s wrong with Dabo Swinney’s Clemson offense?
A major reason for Clemson football‘s struggles this season is how inconsistent the offense has performed under third-year coordinator Garrett Riley.
The Tigers are averaging 27.1 points (68th nationally), 399.2 yards per game (60th) and 5.9 yards per play (52nd) over 10 games despite having a roster with returning experience at quarterback with Cade Klubnik, wide receiver and offensive line.
Last season, Clemson averaged 34.7 points (18th), 451.9 yards per game (11th) and 6.3 yards per play (22nd) in making the College Football Playoff.
Is Dabo Swinney worried about getting fired by Clemson?
Swinney joked that he wouldn’t blame Clemson athletic director Graham Neff, who was at the postgame press conference, for firing him after the loss to Duke in Week 10. Still, Swinney said he is committed to Clemson.
“Unless Graham sends me packing, I’m showing up Monday,” Swinney said. “I’m gonna be here, and we will finish. It’s a great opportunity for these freshmen who are gonna have a lot of great moments and they’ll win a championship before they get out of here.
“I promise you for because, for 17 years, that’s happened here.”
What is Dabo Swinney’s record at Clemson?
Swinney has won two national championships at Clemson, and the Tigers made the 12-team College Football Playoff last season, losing in the first round.
Swinney is 185-52 and in his 17th full season at Clemson’s coach.
The Tigers won the national championship in the 2016 and 2018 seasons. They lost in the championship game in the 2015 and 2019 seasons.
What is Dabo Swinney’s buyout at Clemson?
If Clemson were to fire Swinney “without cause,” the school would owe him $60 million this season as part of his buyout.
If Swinney were to take another college job, he would owe Clemson $4 million. If he were to take the Alabama job, his alma mater, he would owe Clemson $6 million.
Swinney would not owe any money if he accepted an NFL head coach position as long as he or his agent “notify” Neff prior to discussions for other employment.
Dabo Swinney contract, salary details
Swinney is the No. 4 highest-paid coach in college football, according to USA TODAY’s 2025 compensation survey. The Tigers coach is set to earn a total of $11,447,025, not including bonuses, which ranks No. 1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Swinney’s salary for 2025 could go up based on potential bonuses. Bonuses paid for 2024-25 include $100,000 connected with team academic achievement that was allocated among the staff.
How old is Dabo Swinney?
Dabo Swinney is 55 years old. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1969, but he went to Pelham High School and then played receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney on hot seat? Clemson coach’s buyout, contract
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