Clemson’s season hasn’t gone the way Dabo Swinney or anyone else expected, but the Tigers’ head coach insists the story isn’t finished yet. With his team sitting at 1–3 after a humbling start, Swinney labeled the struggles “an absolute coaching failure” while also pointing to Saturday’s trip to North Carolina as an opportunity to prove things can still turn around.
“It was a good open day for us, and much needed,” Swinney said. “We’re probably in as good a spot as we’ve been in a while from a health standpoint. This is kind of a reset for us.”
Swinney admitted Clemson has simply not been playing complementary football. He shouldered the responsibility himself, saying the Tigers’ miscues in execution reflect directly on the coaching staff.
“Our program has never been better, but from a team standpoint this year, this is a football coaching fail,” Swinney said. “It’s blocking, it’s getting off blocks, it’s making a routine play at a critical time. All of that is on us as coaches. I’m not pointing a finger, I’m pointing a thumb. It starts with me.”
A Tough Challenge in Chapel Hill
The focus now shifts to a dangerous UNC squad that Swinney believes is beginning to find its identity. The Tar Heels have dealt with changes at quarterback but boast explosive skill players on the outside and imposing size in the trenches.
“They’ve got skill outside. They’ve got kids that can really run,” Swinney said. “They’re big up front, really big in the trenches. It’ll be a tough challenge.”
Swinney added that Clemson’s defense must be prepared for multiple quarterbacks and an offense that leans on RPOs, play-action, and deep shots. “That creates some challenges from a preparation standpoint,” he said. “They know what they’re doing.”
Resetting the Tigers’ Confidence
The bye week also gave Clemson a chance to focus on leadership and accountability inside the locker room. Swinney said young players like Antonio Williams have stepped up, and that kind of growth will be crucial if the Tigers are to climb back into contention.
“Antonio was kind of nonchalant last year, but to see him now—the leader he’s grown into, his heart, to see him stand up and speak—impressive,” Swinney said. “These guys give me hope for our future.”
Faith and Fight Going Forward
Despite the disappointment, Swinney leaned on his faith to frame the moment as both a test and an opportunity.
“God’s good all the time,” he said. “He’s not just good when it goes your way. I’m grateful for this bad moment we’re in. We’ll come out of it better.”
With the reset behind them, Clemson heads into Chapel Hill looking for its first ACC win of the year. Swinney knows the task is daunting, but he believes the solution is simple.
“We may not win another game, we may win them all,” he said. “But it’s football stuff, and we can fix football stuff.”