Dabo Swinney to be named Clemson head coach this afternoon
By Gene Sapakoff
As first reported in The Post and Courier late Saturday, Clemson today will name Dabo Swinney as its permanent head football coach. The 39-year-old Alabama native will officially be introduced at 5 p.m. at a news conference on campus.
Clemson is 4-2 under Swinney, who replaced Tommy Bowden when he was named "interim" head coach in October. The Tigers earned a bowl bid Saturday with a 31-14 victory over South Carolina.
DABO SWINNEY
Swinney
NAME: William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney
BIRTH YEAR: 1969
EXPERIENCE: Clemson interim coach, 2008; Clemson assistant head coach, receivers coach, 2007-2008; Clemson receivers coach, 2003-2006; Alabama receivers coach, 1998-2000; Alabama tight ends coach, 1997; Alabama tight ends, receivers coach, 1996; Alabama graduate assistant, 1993-1995.
EDUCATION: B.S., commerce and business administration, University of Alabama, 1993; M.B.A., University of Alabama, 1995.
FAMILY: Wife, Kathleen; Children, Will, 10; Drew, 8; Clay, 5.
Check here for updates and see complete coverage and commentary in Tuesday's editions of The Post and Courier.
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jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
Let me be the first to say it: Congratulations Dabo - you sincerely deserve it! Go Tigers in '09!
December 1, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joldham (anonymous) says...
I think DABO is going to do fine. He looks a little like Danny Ford so he'll be a good coach.
DABO, one thing you need to instill on the team is DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE!!!!!
Be the grown-up in the crowd... Tell the guys to celebrate but NO Show Boating!!!
Let their actions on the field talk for them not the dancing after a tackle ot touchdown....
GO TIGERS!!!!!
December 1, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vern (anonymous) says...
What's the deal, Fulmer cost too much?
December 1, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dbeast420 (anonymous) says...
I knew this was coming. Now for a more positive turn around in a great program.
December 1, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mcfadden00 (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to Dabo.
Now, PLEASE do not promote Napier to OC. Hire an experienced OC and fire Brad Scott. (I don't expect either of these to happen but one can dream...).
December 1, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MongolianReversal (anonymous) says...
During these tough economic times, we all must exhibit sacrafices. Clemson is doing their part by hiring Dabo and the compensation package you pay someone without any head coaching or coordinator experience.
December 1, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
softbatch (anonymous) says...
i'll give brad scott a pass. injuries played a huge part in the line's play early in the season. Plus, when Bowden was let go, they got rid of the 2 point stance, then the oline played a lot better. With the money CU is saving with Dabo, throw the rest at Vic Koening. Besides Spiller, the defense was the only bright spot on this team all year.
December 1, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
woodrob12 (anonymous) says...
Mongolian Reversal is the best screen name I've ever seen.
December 1, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
He's earned it!!!
December 1, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bsportsfan (anonymous) says...
Undoubtedly Clemson didn't pay attention to a blog that was posted on CBS sportsline today saying that they didn't do good with a history lesson when selecting Dabo as their coach. The writer said Clemson should have paid more attention to what has happened at West Virginia and not made the same mistake they have done and this writer projects that in 2 to 4 years Clemson will probably have the same result that West Virginia is having now.
December 1, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
As a Carolina fan I have to say this hire sounds good, but only time will tell how Dabo will do, but I think he'll be fine for y'all. To compair this situation to WVU is like compairing oranges to nuts. Dabo is young, energetic, and has a huge upside. WVU promoted a lifelong assistant with no fire who was a "player's coach". The guy's a pushover essentially. Dabo's a grab the bull by the horns take charge type of guy and he'll do well at Clemson. Best of luck to him in '09 in all but one of their games.
December 1, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
softbatch (anonymous) says...
If terry don phillips starts relying on blogs to make his coaching decisions, then he will be the next one looking for a job. at some point, every head coach was an assistant, so stop trying to rain on Clemson's parade. Dabo went 4-2 (which shouldn't include the GT loss) and beat SC, he is good by me.
December 1, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realityck (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to Dabo! Joldham, "He looks a little like Danny Ford so he'll be a good coach"...since when does ones looks equal being a good coach?? And why on earth would you want to insult Dabo like that?!
December 1, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cw218 (anonymous) says...
BSportsfan, that is a good point but you aren't looking at the big picture... both promoted interim coaches yes, but the comparison ends there. Stewart won 1 game at WVU before the interim tag was lifted. Dabo was the coach for 6 games and over that period of time TDP was able to look at much more than what happened in one game both on and off the field... Also listen to press conferences of the two coaches or the way they act on the sideline- they have completely different attitudes and styles.
December 1, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chs294 (anonymous) says...
Some seem to think CU is "settling" on a coach with no head coach or coordinator experience and saving money. Wow. Imagine what a "real" head coach would have done on Saturday. Appearantly there wasn't one on either sideline.
December 1, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whiskeyagogo (anonymous) says...
Wait 'til next year ... no Davis, no Spiller, no Kelly, no Harper, etc. Good Luck.
December 1, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cw218 (anonymous) says...
Man I swear I've heard someone say that before. I just can't remember who?
December 1, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
There is no next year silly coot. Now say hello to your new Daddy.
December 1, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
The CBS.com blog is written by Greg Doyel who used to write for the Charlotte Observer. He was anti Clemson then and is anti Clemson now. He is a UF alum and therefore thinks he knows all. Sort of like the UF alum who was coaching the Gamecocks Saturday.
December 1, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
woodrob12 (anonymous) says...
From interim hc to, in the writer's words, "permanent" head coach. Another one for the Paterno and Bowden ranks?
December 1, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SOSblows (anonymous) says...
no harper? is Jamie harper leaving or changing his last name?
December 1, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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