Clemson Football: Program goals for the 2023 season have changed…slightly

Head coach Dabo Swinney has done a great job building the culture of the Clemson Football program. One of the keys to building that culture has been clear communication about the goals of the program.

Traditionally, the goals of the program were:

1. Win the opener
2. Win the Atlantic Division
3. Win the state
4. Win the ACC championship game
5. Win the closer

This mentality has played a big hand in keeping the team focused on what is important, and not being distracted by other influences. If the team can accomplish the five goals, then other things, like playoff berths and national championships, will come as they may.

The primary mentality of the team won’t be changing any time soon, but they will have to modify the goals a little bit for a reason beyond their control. The Atlantic Coast Conference decided to discontinue the divisional model that they had used for nearly two decades.

Therefore, there is no Atlantic Division to win anymore. The conference adopted a new scheduling model that rotates the games more frequently. From now on, the two teams with the best records in the conference will play in the ACC championship game in Charlotte.

Clemson Football goals had to adapt to the new ACC scheduling model

As such, the new slightly modified program goals are:

1. Win the opener
2. Advance to the ACC championship game
3. Win the state
4. Win the ACC championship game
5. Win the closer

A small change, for sure, but a logical one. Part of the point of the program goals was to take one thing at a time. Take care of what is in front of you. They have to qualify for the ACC championship game before they can try to win it.

Some things about the program change every year, but the primary drivers of the culture don’t change. They simply adapt. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.