Why Dabo Swinney won't earn a bowl bonus despite Clemson making Pinstripe Bowl
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CLEMSON — Clemson football made a bowl game for the 21st year in a row this season, the fourth-longest active streak in the sport, but Dabo Swinney will not earn a salary bonus for the achievement.
The Tigers (7-5) will face Penn State (6-6) in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 (noon ET, ABC) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.
Still, Swinney will miss out on $75,000 because Clemson did not have at least eight wins in the regular season. Per his contract, the 17-year Tigers coach needed to win “eight or more regular season games” and play in a postseason bowl game to earn the bonus.
It is a small loss for Swinney, who 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, which ranks No. 1 in the ACC.
The Tigers have won at least one postseason game in each of the last 14 years, the longest streak in FBS history, and have won at least eight games in the last 14 seasons.
How much Dabo Swinney earned for Clemson making Pinstripe Bowl
Swinney earned no bonuses for Clemson making the Pinstripe Bowl. The Tigers needed to win eight or more regular-season games for him to net $75,000.
What other bonuses Dabo Swinney missed out on in 2025
Clemson had its second-worst season in Swinney’s 17 full seasons. The Tigers finished tied for seventh in the ACC standings and had little to no shot to make the College Football Playoff after starting the season 1-3.
Missing the conference title game cost Swinney the following bonuses:
- $50,000 for making the ACC championship game
- $200,000 for winning the ACC championship
- $150,000 for making the CFP
If Clemson made the CFP and won the national championship like many predicted entering 2025, Swinney could have netted $850,000.
He would earn $250,000 if Clemson made the CFP semifinals, $250,000 for making the national championship and $350,000 for winning the national championship.
What is Dabo Swinney’s contract, salary?
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 ACC.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why Dabo Swinney contract prevents bowl bonus for Clemson coach
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