...
By Evan Massey
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers put together a dud of a 2025 college football season, failing to come close to making the College Football Playoff after starting the season being considered as one of the top championship contenders.
When all was said and done, Clemson mustered up a 7-5 regular season record.
Right off the bat, the Tigers were clearly in trouble. They lost to the LSU Tigers in the season opener before struggling to beat Troy and losing two straight against Georgia Tech and Syracuse.
Read More on NCAA
Read more: Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Emerging as Candidate for Elite Job
Starting off the season with a 1-3 record was an immediate elimination from playoff consideration. Clemson finished the season with a 6-2 record following the first four games of the year.
...
Due to the poor performance from the team this season, rumors started swirling about Swinney's future with the Tigers. Some felt that Clemson should head in a different direction. Others thought that Swinney could explore leaving the program for a fresh start elsewhere.
While the outside noise was loud, Swinney is expected to be the head coach for the Tigers to start the 2026 season.
Even though he's expected to come back from next season, Swinney has been put on notice about his future. Should Clemson have the same kind of struggles next season, there is a strong chance that the Tigers could make a change.
Adam Spencer of Saturday Down South weighed in with his thoughts on the situation.
"I’m not saying it’s definitely going to happen, but if the Tigers get off to a slow start in 2026, tensions could quickly mount at Clemson," Spencer wrote. "Reminder that Clemson has to make the return trip to LSU (to face a new-look Tigers team with Lane Kiffin at the helm) in Week 1 next year."
Swinney took over as the head coach at Clemson back in the 2008 season. He has led the program to an impressive 187-52 overall record and has also won two national championships with the Tigers.
Read more: Alabama QB Ty Simpson Gets Blunt Reality Check Before CFP
In an ideal world, Clemson can get things figured out with Swinney leading the charge. He is well-loved at the school and parting ways would be a very difficult decision and situation for both parties.
That being said, something has to change with the Tigers. Swinney needs to figure out how to get Clemson back on the map and into the College Football Playoff or change might be necessary.
For more on the Clemson Tigers and college football news, head to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines