Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shoots down interest in LSU opening

Soon after it was learned over the weekend that Ed Orgeron will not return as head coach of the LSU Tigers for the 2022 college football season, some linked Clemson Tigers coach and two-time national champion Dabo Swinney with the opening. 

Swinney appeared to close the door on such rumors when speaking with reporters on Tuesday. 

"I'm a big time, coach? Wow! I made a big-time list? Wow," Swinney humorously remarked, per The Athletic. "Yeah, this is the only Death Valley I’m concerned about right here. That’s for sure." 

ESPN's David M. Hale notes the Clemson and LSU football stadiums both share the "Death Valley" nickname. 

"I don't know the situation [with Orgeron at LSU], but I do know some of the greatest coaches we've ever had weren't good early or maybe the consistency wasn't there," Swinney continued. "It's a tough business." 

Swinney has accumulated an overall record of 144-35 since he first began serving as Clemson head coach in 2008. This is a down year for his program, though, as the 4-2 Tigers are unranked heading into this Saturday's matchup at the No. 23-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers.