Dabo Swinney, never one to shy away from a microphone, let it all hang out in a press conference. But his fiery words weren't aimed at an opponent or a referee. They were directed squarely at what he called "clickbait bullcrap."
The topic of his frustration was a story that quoted him as saying his current team would be the first to go 16-0. Swinney was quick to clarify that his comments had been taken wildly out of context.
"That's the most clickbait bullcrap I've ever seen in my life," Swinney said, visibly agitated. "I've never said this team is going to [go 16-0]. I've said we were the first 15-0 team, and I believe we can go be the first 16-0 team. Why not? It's a race, let's go do it."
Swinney explained that he was simply expressing his belief in his program's potential, not making a definitive prediction about the future. He emphasized that he wouldn't know if this team could achieve the feat until January. "Somebody's going to do it, so why not us?" he challenged.
But Swinney's passionate message wasn't just about media misrepresentation. He pivoted to what he says is the core of his program: earning it. The coach shared that linebacker Wade Woodaz recently expressed a desire to remove the pictures of past Clemson greats like Trevor Lawrence and Christian Wilkins from the walls. Woodaz wants the current team to earn their own legacy.
Swinney's response? He loved it.
"I love that mindset," Swinney said. "I love that that's how he thinks. But, hey, go earn it."
Swinney recounted a recent visit from former NFL coach Marvin Lewis, who spoke to the team about players he coached with "special traits" like Ray Lewis. Swinney then laid down the gauntlet for his current squad: "You want me to talk about you like I talk about Grady Jarrett? Go do it. I mean, I promise you, Ben Boulware, he'll be happy to take all them pictures down. But you've got to earn it. Can't talk about it. Go do it."
Swinney also took time to praise new coach Tom Allen, noting the intensity and energy he brings to the program. "He's just about his business every day. He just brings it every single day. And that's been good," Swinney said, adding that Allen "has been exactly what we needed."
In a single, unscripted moment, Swinney not only took on the media but also delivered a powerful and challenging message to his own players. The pictures of past heroes still hang on the wall, but Swinney—and his team—are clearly ready for someone to come and take them down.