Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin says ‘Dabo’s my guy’ talking Swinney

College football doesn’t leave much room for close friendships between head coaches.

With year-round recruiting, game preparation and competition, James Franklin admitted it can be difficult to build lasting relationships with others in the profession. That’s why he considers Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney an exception.

“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends. I’m going to be honest. I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily the type of people who love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs.

“It’s hard when you just compete year-round, not that they’re bad guys, just when you’re competing year-round, games, recruiting, it gets edgy, right? So Dabo’s been a guy I’ve known for a long time.”

Franklin explained that the relationship has grown over years of spending time together away from the field. While many coaching relationships never extend beyond handshakes before kickoff, he said Swinney has become someone he genuinely respects both personally and professionally.

That friendship will have a different feel this fall.

Franklin’s first season at Virginia Tech includes a visit to Clemson on Oct. 24, putting the two longtime acquaintances on opposite sidelines in an ACC game.

Even with the upcoming matchup, Franklin made it clear his admiration for what Swinney has accomplished hasn’t changed.

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“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson and what he’s done for the ACC,” Franklin said. “So I got a ton of respect for him and all the coaches.”

Once the game begins, their relationship will be put aside for four quarters. But Franklin acknowledged there aren’t many coaches he can point to after all these years and call a friend, making his connection with Swinney stand out as Virginia Tech prepares to face Clemson this season.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin says ‘Dabo’s my guy’ talking Swinney