Dabo Swinney is actually talking about what most Upstate residents have been whispering for a few months: 2025 was a coaching disaster. In a wide-ranging, curiously frank discussion with ESPN on Wednesday, the face of Clemson football did not shy away from the difficult questions. Standing on the sidelines of his program’s Pro Day — a day that is typically reserved for celebrating potential NFL millions — Swinney glanced back at the 7-6 wreckage of last season and pointed the finger hard at himself.
“It was just that I thought we really failed as coaches last year,” Swinney confessed.