Fansided

Top-10 coaches most likely to make the jump to the NFL

By Robert Judin

Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin reacts from the sidelines against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin reacts from the sidelines against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney after the Tigers won 24-22 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney after the Tigers won 24-22 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Dabo Swinney – Clemson Tigers

Since Dabo Swinney took over the Clemson Tigers in the middle of the 2008 season, he’s taken them to new heights.

Swinney is 67-26 since then and has won four of the seven bowl games he’s led the Tigers to during that time.

While Clemson is currently vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff, this season may just find its purpose in sending Swinney to the next level.

Swinney joined the Alabama Crimson Tide’s coaching staff as a graduate assistant right after he finished his playing career as a wide receiver for the Crimson Tide in 1993. He coached the wide receivers and tight ends from 1996 to 2000 and was hired onto Clemson’s staff by Tommy Bowden in 2003.

The taste of the NFL is foreign to Swinney, and with him set to turn 46 this year, he might consider taking a crack at the next level sooner rather than later.

Steve Spurrier is gone from South Carolina, and the Gamecocks are about to find new life on the recruiting trail. It’s already difficult to find quality prospects, but to battle with the entire Southeastern Conference — as well as the Atlantic Coastal Conference — is a different story.

Swinney is an upbeat, energetic coach who knows how to get more from his players without them knowing there was more to give.

If the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coaching job were to open up, it could definitely interest Swinney. With Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, T.J. Yeldon and others walking the line of an explosive offense, Swinney might be lured away from Clemson.

Next: Kevin Sumlin

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