Dabo Swinney has been synonymous with Clemson football since 2008. For nearly two decades, he’s been the program’s north star - a two-time national champion, a builder of culture, and a coach whose name was etched alongside the sport’s elite.
But heading into 2026, the conversation around Swinney is shifting. The question isn’t about how many more trophies he can bring to Death Valley - it’s whether he can still keep the Tigers from sinking.
In a comprehensive look at the 2026-27 college football coaching carousel, Swinney found his name on a list of 25 coaches to watch - not for the usual reasons, but because of growing doubts about his long-term fit in the modern game. He came in at No. 23, tagged with a telling note: “Considerable prying necessary.”
That phrasing says a lot. Swinney isn’t on the hot seat in the traditional sense - no one’s expecting him to be fired tomorrow.
But the inclusion signals a major shift in national perception. Clemson, once the gold standard of stability, is now a program with more questions than answers.
And Swinney, once untouchable, is now part of the carousel conversation.
The 2025 season didn’t help his case. Clemson finished 7-6 - their worst full-season record since 2010.
For a fan base that grew accustomed to Playoff appearances and national title runs, that kind of slide isn’t just disappointing; it’s jarring. And it’s brought renewed scrutiny to Swinney’s resistance to change.
The two biggest sticking points? The transfer portal and NIL.
Swinney has famously been slow to embrace both. His loyalty to high school recruiting and his reluctance to dive into the portal have become defining traits - and not in a good way.
In today’s college football landscape, where roster building is as much about retention and re-recruitment as it is about signing day, that approach feels increasingly out of step. Industry insiders still believe Swinney is deeply entrenched at Clemson, but they also acknowledge that his “stubborn” stance on modern player movement and compensation is putting serious strain on the program’s ability to compete at the highest level.
There’s also the matter of postseason production - or lack thereof. Clemson hasn’t won a College Football Playoff game since 2019.
That’s a long drought for a program that was once a fixture in the final four. And for all of Swinney’s past success, the recent trend lines aren’t pointing in the right direction.
In an effort to jumpstart a stagnant offense, Swinney turned to a familiar face: Chad Morris. The former Clemson offensive coordinator was brought back to help revive the unit he once helped electrify from 2011 to 2014.
Back then, Morris was a key figure in the Tigers’ offensive transformation. But that was over a decade ago.
Since leaving Clemson, his résumé has taken some serious hits, with underwhelming head coaching stints at SMU and Arkansas. Critics see the hire as another example of Swinney favoring comfort and familiarity over innovation - a move that fits a pattern, but not necessarily the moment.
And while Swinney’s future is under the microscope, Clemson’s 2026 schedule features several names who are trending in the opposite direction - rising stars and veterans who could be in line for big promotions:
- Jeff Brohm (Louisville): The top name on the coaching carousel heading into the season. If a major job opens, expect Brohm to be at the center of the conversation.
- Shannon Dawson (Miami OC): A fast-rising assistant with growing buzz. If Miami’s offense clicks, Dawson could be on the short list for head coaching gigs.
- Charlie Weis Jr. (LSU OC): Another young offensive mind who’s building momentum. His name keeps surfacing in future head coach projections.
- Bobby Petrino (UNC OC): The veteran play-caller is still hanging around the carousel, and don’t be surprised if he lands one more shot at a top job.
For Swinney, the stakes in 2026 are clear. This isn’t just about bouncing back from a down year - it’s about proving he can still evolve with the game. After 17 seasons at the helm, he’s no longer just the face of Clemson football; he’s a case study in what happens when a program rooted in tradition runs headfirst into a rapidly changing sport.
The next 12 months will tell us a lot. Can Swinney course-correct and reassert Clemson as a national contender? Or will his unwillingness to adapt finally catch up with him?
Right now, the ship hasn’t sunk - but the water’s rising. And all eyes are on the captain.