Clemson’s offense has been a mess, but Dabo Swinney made it clear Sunday that he isn’t planning to rip up the staff card in the middle of the season.
Despite the Tigers’ struggles and a frustrating 20-16 home loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday, Swinney said on his Sunday teleconference that offensive coordinator Chad Morris will “absolutely” remain in charge for the rest of the year. Clemson’s offense ranks among the worst in the country and has gone more than a month without throwing a passing touchdown, yet Swinney said he is still sticking with Morris.
That stance fits Swinney’s long-held approach. He has said repeatedly that he does not like making staff changes during the season, and he has not parted ways with an assistant in-season since becoming Clemson’s full-time coach in 2009. Every coaching change under Swinney has come in the offseason.
Still, the frustration was obvious after Saturday’s loss. Swinney openly took aim at the offensive coaching staff during and after the game, at one point calling their work “pitiful.” But on Sunday, he said he has not lost confidence in Morris’ system.
“There’s better days ahead,” Swinney said. “I haven’t lost any faith in Chad.”
He also shut down the idea that Clemson might shuffle playcalling duties or make other midseason adjustments on offense, whether that would involve him or another coach stepping in. Swinney said the Tigers have “good players” and that the coaching staff - starting with him as head coach - has to do a better job helping them produce.
His comments were a little more open-ended on Saturday night, when he said he and Morris would have “a lot of conversations” over the next few days after being asked about possible changes to the offense. But Swinney clarified Sunday that even when he criticized the staff, he was including himself in that criticism.
“I’m criticizing myself as well,” he said. “I’m the head coach,” he said.
“It starts with me. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility.”
Clemson dropped to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the ACC after the defeat, which was its eighth loss in the last 10 home games against power conference opponents at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers go to Florida State next Saturday at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.
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