The main competition nationally for the Clemson football program for more than the last half-decade has been none other than the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Clemson and Alabama have developed a healthy respect for one another on the playing field, where they’ve matched up four times in the last six years in the CFB Playoff, and a nice rivalry off-the-field. The two programs have combined to win five of the seven total CFB Playoff National Championships.
Alabama announced Monday that it had extended Nick Saban’s contract through the 2028 season, effectively putting to end any talks that the 69-year old coach might be retiring any time in the near future.
While many Clemson football fans are probably ready for Saban to retire, here’s why his extension is a good thing for the Tigers
There’s a healthy amount of respect for Saban and what he’s been able to accomplish during his time at Alabama. He has built the Crimson Tide into a dynasty and anytime it seemed as if they might be taking a dip, he has come back with a vengeance.
So, how can we say that Saban staying in Alabama- when the Crimson Tide have been the main obstacle to Clemson winning the National Title year-in and year-out- is a good thing for Clemson?
Well, it all has to do with Dabo Swinney.
No one knows if Dabo Swinney would leave the Clemson football program to go coach at Alabama, but we do know that if the Crimson Tide called he would at least have to answer. Alabama is his alma mater and there’s always been a sense of respect and love for that university and community that can be felt by Swinney.
Swinney has built Clemson into a national powerhouse and the culture he has established is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
Saban or no Saban, Clemson is going to compete nationally and have a chance at bringing home hardware as long as Swinney is in town.
If Saban was retiring, though, you can bet that Swinney would be at the forefront of possible names to fill the position.
Even if Swinney wasn’t interested, that distraction- ever how long it lasted- could cost the Tigers on the recruiting trail and set the program back, even if it’s only slightly.
Now, we don’t have to worry about that. At least not for the next eight years.
The Saban-Swinney rivalry can continue and it’s going to be fun to watch.