ESPN’s Paul Finebaum is back on the attack, and this time Clemson and Dabo Swinney are taking the full blast.
On his show, Finebaum questioned whether the Tigers still belong in the national conversation after a 7-6 season in 2025, pushing back hard against a Clemson supporter who defended the program. Finebaum’s take was blunt.
“I think he believes if he keeps repeating the same lie that Clemson is legitimate and Dabo is a good coach, it will make him at least feel better short term,” Finebaum said.
It was the latest in a run of criticism Finebaum has aimed at Swinney and Clemson in recent months. Back in May, he made it clear he had lost confidence in the program’s direction.
“I don’t have any faith or belief in Dabo Swinney anymore,” Finebaum said.
He has also recently forecast a modest year for Clemson, saying, “I think he’ll have a winning season. I think another good 8-4 season for Dabo,” Finebaum said.
Finebaum didn’t stop at the on-field results. He also went after Clemson’s decision to give Swinney a major contract extension, zeroing in on the buyout language and what he sees as Swinney’s lack of real leverage in the coaching market. He pointed to Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who recently signed a new seven-year, $87.5 million extension, as a contrast.
“First of all, these buyouts are absurd. … What program has ever tried to hire Dabo Swinney?
Why do you get that type of leverage at the back end of your contract. Dabo’s never gotten an offer,” Finebaum said.
“People can get upset about [Alabama head coach Kalen] DeBoer, but the reason he got the contract [new seven-year, $87.5 million extension] is that they thought he might leave. Nobody wants Dabo Swinney.
Alabama, his alma mater, could’ve easily called him. That didn’t even enter their thought process.”
Even with the criticism piling up, Swinney’s résumé still stands out. He owns a 187-53 career record, has won nine Atlantic Coast Conference championships, and has claimed two national titles. Swinney is also one of only two active Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches with multiple national championships.
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