Deion Sanders Won’t Let Clemson’s Critics Take Down Dabo Swinney

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 11:38 AM ET

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has found himself at the center of college football’s national conversation after his Tigers stumbled out of the gate with a 1–2 record.

Despite both losses coming by a touchdown or less, the noise around Swinney has intensified, fueled by critics who continue to target him over his traditional approach to roster building and his refusal to embrace the transfer portal as heavily as other top programs.

This week, Swinney pushed back against the narrative in his weekly Tuesday press conference, reminding fans and media that he’s not walking away from the game if Clemson ever decides to move on.

His passionate comments sparked divided reactions — some applauded his conviction and loyalty to the program, while others used the moment to double down on criticism of the two-time national champion.

Deion Sanders Praises Dabo’s Leadership

But one prominent voice came to Swinney’s defense: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.

Speaking at his own press conference, Sanders praised Swinney not just for his on-field success, but for the type of leader he is in college football.

“I love him to life. I love the man he is, the coach he is. Just a great guy,” Sanders said. “Just a guy that I could, you know, in this coaching realm. Just looking back on some of the things that they’ve been sending him, you know, one and two, and they turned it all around that season. And why not us? Why can’t we turn it around? Why can’t we correct the right consistency?” https://x.com/CFBONFOX/status/1968136254152909023

Clemson Tigers Struggle Under the Spotlight

For all the noise around Clemson, it’s worth remembering the Tigers won the ACC just last season and reached the College Football Playoff, even if they were far from dominant at times.

Still, in today’s climate, patience is short. A couple of early setbacks have been enough for some to question whether Swinney’s old-school philosophy can still keep Clemson among the nation’s elite.

Sanders Message Resonates Across College Football

Sanders defense resonates because he knows what it means to face constant scrutiny.

Like Swinney once did, Sanders took over a struggling program and tried to build it into something greater.

His perspective highlights the reality of modern college football: one loss can shift narratives, and two can spark calls for change.

For now, Clemson has plenty of football left to play, and Sanders’ reminder may prove timely — turning things around is hardly impossible. Whether fans and critics give Swinney the space to do it, though, remains another question.

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

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