There’s been a lot of talk in Clemson football circles about Dabo Swinney moving to Alabama. Here’s why it may not be a good fit for Swinney.
One of the “hot topics” to talk about this spring has been Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney and if he would leave Tiger Town to be Nick Saban’s replacement in Alabama.
While no one truly knows what Swinney will decide when the time comes, I think we all know that Bama will come calling at some point.
In some ways, it makes a lot of sense.
Alabama was Swinney’s alma mater. He played football there. He got his first coaching job there (of course he was also fired from there).
While Crimson Tide fans believe that it is a “done deal” if Alabama offers, I don’t necessarily know that that is the case.
In ESPN’s lengthy article about Dabo Swinney and his program-building skills, Swinney sheds a bit of light on the subject. Here’s the quote that I found rather interesting out of the entire article:
"“Listen, I spent 13 years there, so I get it. I know exactly what that mentality is and something I’ve tried to always fight here. You don’t see that anywhere in our building, that it’s national championship or bust. Our team goals are to win the opener, win the division, win the state championship, win the conference and win the closer."
He’s trying to “fight the culture”
Dabo Swinney doesn’t just say that Clemson football is not Alabama football, he actually goes on to say that he is “fighting” to not have the culture of the Crimson Tide program.
What’s that culture? National Championship or bust.
While many Clemson football fans see the Tigers as a “National Championship or bust” program, Swinney sees much more in his team.
He’s focused on having fun. He’s focused on the program being the best that it can be on a day-in day-out basis. He’s focused on developing his players and pushing the veterans. He’s also focused on making sure the young men that go through his program graduate, even if that means coming back after their NFL career to do so.
That’s Dabo Swinney. So, here’s my question:
Will Alabama fans buy into that culture?
Whenever I think about it, my answer is “no.” To me, I think Crimson Tide fans and their administration have bought into a “win at all cost” mentality. If the team loses a game, it’s detrimental. Every year that Alabama doesn’t win the Natty, it’s a disappointing year. Now, don’t get me wrong.
There’s nothing wrong with having success. But, the more I think about it, the more I just think that Bama fans would never really get along with Dabo. Are they going to buy into his smaller recruiting classes when he takes a 4-star guy with great character over a 5-star with questionable character?
Are they going to buy into “best is the standard” and “fun is in the winning” slogans? Or will they be upset when Swinney tries to celebrate with his team following a win over Vanderbilt?
To me, there’s just a difference between Alabama and Clemson.
Both programs are on top of the College Football world, but they are doing it in different ways. Alabama is doing it with undeniable success. They are doing it with dominance. Clemson is doing it with dominance, but in a way that is fun.
The ultimate goal in each program is to win, but they are doing it in different ways.
Swinney and his staff are focused on building relationships, which leads to success on the field. Saban and his staff are focused on building success, regardless of the relationship.
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Look, I may be wrong, but I think Crimson Tide fans are in for a rude awakening when Nick Saban retires. Even if they did get Swinney to come, their program would have to undergo some major facelifts. Swinney will not fit into Bama’s current culture. That’s not who he is and that’s not who he ever will be.
When it’s all said and done, I agree with Woody McCorvey when he says that Swinney won’t be “running home when mama starts calling.”