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Dabo Swinney Still Doesn’t Get It

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Jul 18, 2026 10:03 AM ET

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney delivered several viral remarks during his appearance at the Thursday’s ACC Media Day in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a disappointing 7-6 season last season, Swinney had an opportunity to begin to right the ship but instead decided to put a larger target on his back.

To his benefit, Swinney didn’t hide from 2025’s failures.

“We’re No. 1 in draft picks. We’re No. 1 in graduation. We’re No. 1 in retention,” said Coach Swinney. “These aren’t, like, make-believe things. But you know what else is true? We stunk last year. That’s true, too.”

However, the dark shadow that has been following Coach Swinney for several years is what caused him to derail on Thursday. When asked about his quarterback situation and the transfer portal, which most people continue to believe he has greatly mismanaged, he continued to double down.

“We made a decision that we weren’t going to go and get some shiny object at quarterback,” said Swinney. “Well, we understand that. If it doesn’t work out, we’re going to be just raked over the coals for that.”

Without a “shiny object at quarterback”, Clemson will rely on Christopher Vizzina, who has passed for 596 yards and four touchdowns during his three seasons in Death Valley. Instead of grabbing a proven veteran out of the transfer portal, Swinney will rely on Vizzina to help him navigate what has the potential to be a tumultuous season.

Some people will point as Brendan Sorsby as an example of a “shiny object” that backfired. And while this is true, there are an abundance of examples who didn’t get banished by the NCAA and instead led their new teams to monumental seasons. Just ask Indiana and Ohio State fans what they think of how Fernando Mendoza and Will Howard shined during the last two National Championship seasons.

One part of Swinney’s comment is correct. If this season produces anything similar to what happened in 2025, he will be “raked over the coals”. And deservedly so. Despite having the option to add experience, Swinney willfully put all of his eggs in the Vizzina basket.

Expect plenty of viral moments to come out of Death Valley this season. If Swinney is proven wrong then he will be “raked over the coals”, however, if Vizzina leads the Tigers to a turnaround season, you can be sure that coach will be very willing to tell everyone about it.

Either way, Clemson will be must watch television in 2026.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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