Dabo Swinney Quietly Holds One Advantage Over Every Other Coach in America

PFF College listed Dabo Swinney as the No. 3 coach in college football entering 2025. But for the Tigers, this season could be about more than legacy—it might be about reinvention.

As college football barrels into another season of expanded playoffs, seismic realignment, and portal-fueled rebuilds, one of its most polarizing constants remains in Clemson. According to PFF, Dabo Swinney is still among the sport’s elite—coming in at No. 3 on their latest ranking of the top 10 coaches in America.

Swinney, of course, is no stranger to lists like these. Two national championships (2016 and 2018), nine ACC titles, and seven College Football Playoff appearances solidify his résumé. But the real story may not be where he stands—but what comes next.

While Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Ohio State’s Ryan Day topped PFF’s list, Swinney was the only other active head coach with a national title to his name. And despite national narratives questioning whether Clemson has slipped from its golden age, the Tigers quietly continue to achieve a level of consistency that rivals anyone in the country.

Clemson has finished in the AP Top 20 for 13 straight seasons—something even the powerhouse Big Ten and SEC programs can’t all claim.

But 2025 feels different.

This year’s Clemson team may be Swinney’s most physically gifted roster since Trevor Lawrence’s sophomore season. A retooled offensive line, the return of quarterback Cade Klubnik, and an under-the-radar but veteran defense have insiders buzzing about a potential CFP return. And while Clemson remains one of the few programs bucking the portal trend while still using it when needed, its success in high school recruiting has kept the pipeline rich with preaching strong sense of community, school spirit, and emphasis on tradition.

PFF’s ranking might suggest Swinney’s place is secure, but the reality is this season offers a chance to reshape the conversation entirely. A national title run would reintroduce Clemson as a perennial force—just as new contenders like Steve Sarkisian, or Marcus Freeman’s begin to climb the ladder.

Swinney has long preached culture, stability, and internal development. If 2025 proves that model still works in the era of NIL and free agency, it won’t just reinforce his greatness—it could redefine it.

PFF College recently released its rankings of the top college football coaches in the country. Here’s how they ordered the top 10:

1. Kirby Smart
2. Ryan Day
3. Dabo Swinney
4. Dan Lanning
5. Marcus Freeman
6. Steve Sarkisian
7. Kalen DeBoer
8. James Franklin
9. Brian Kelly
10. Curt Cignetti