Dabo Swinney expresses love for both Clemson and Alabama

Dabo Swinney was certainly an interesting name who was brought up when legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement earlier this winter.

Swinney, who has been head coach at Clemson since 2008, is a two-time national champion. As it relates to Alabama, though, he has deep ties. He walked on as a wide receiver with the Crimson Tide in 1989 and earned a scholarship in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He also started his coaching career with the Tide, first as a graduate assistant and then as a wide receivers and tight ends coach.

Swinney was Alabama through-and-through before he went to Clemson, but now that he's become a legend in his own right with the Tigers, it sounds like he gave the idea of replacing Saban in Tuscaloosa very little (if any) thought.

Speaking about the scenario on Wednesday, Swinney was clear that he's happy that Alabama landed on former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer as Saban's replacement. He's happy with what he's got at Clemson, too.

“I’m happy for Alabama. I love Alabama. That’ll never change. But I love Clemson, too,” Swinney told reporters (h/t On3). “And I’m happy with my job. I’m happy for Coach Saban. Had a great conversation with him. What we talked about will stay between us, but just focused on what I’m doing.”

Swinney is a multi-time national champion and could very easily rest on his laurels, but he's focused on what he's doing at Clemson right now for a reason. After a stretch that saw Clemson make the College Football Playoff National Championship four out of five years, winning it all twice, the Tigers have now gone four seasons in a row missing the CFP.