Dabo Swinney’s run at Clemson has certainly experienced plenty of highs, but the reality is the program’s golden era is over.
Swinney, a two-time national champion, had Clemson at the peak of its powers from 2015-2019. Since that dominant stretch, he has made the College Football Playoff just once. In 2025, his team had to scrap and claw just to go over .500 by the end of the year.
While there’s plenty of football left to be played for Clemson, a blowout loss to LSU in Week 1 isn’t exactly an encouraging sign. It was the type of loss that makes Clemson seem miles away from being a CFP contender.
With that being said, Sam Neumann of Awful Announcing made the argument that Clemson is in an impossible spot due to Swinney’s contract situation and résumé.
“I don’t really think Clemson can afford to bring [Dabo Swinney] back, and I don’t know if they can afford to fire him,” Neumann said. “They’re in a tough spot.”
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.
Is Dabo’s contract buyout that bad?
According to CBS Sports, Clemson would have to pay $57 million if Swinney is fired in 2026. To make matters worse, firing him in 2027 would actually cost the university an additional $3 million.
“His remaining total compensation starting in 2027 is $60 million, meaning it’s actually cheaper for Clemson to fire Swinney sooner rather than later,” CBS Sports reported. “The problem is that still requires Clemson to come up with $57 million, and it would be on the hook for all of that. Unlike most contracts, Swinney’s deal does not include a mitigation clause, which means if he goes and takes another job — which he stated clearly in 2025 that he would — Clemson would not see their portion of the buyout reduced.
If Clemson is willing to pay Swinney’s buyout, then moving on from him at the end of this year should be a real option.
At the end of the day though, we’d imagine the athletic department will hold out hope that Swinney turns things around.
