Dabo Swinney calls reporter a 'gotcha guy' after Clemson roster question

The Clemson Tigers began the 2026 college football season with an ugly 51-10 blowout loss to Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers in Kiffin's first game in Baton Rouge. 

Clemson's only touchdown came with just over three minutes remaining, and LSU outgained Clemson 644 yards to 145. It was a complete blowout, and on Tuesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney called out a reporter after being questioned about the team's roster. 

Dabo Swinney goes off after question from reporter

Here was the question from Chapel Fowler: 

"Do you regret anything about your offseason roster construction?"

Swinney proceeded to call Fowler a "gotcha guy" and then went on a rant, saying it has been just one game and asking if he will ask that question at the end of the season.

"At the end of the year, you count them up [wins and losses], and that's when those type of questions are fair, to me," Swinney added. "Not after one game, to maybe the best team in the country."