College football head coach rankings: Dabo or Saban? Who is the best young coach?
By Dante Pryor
Dabo Swinney. 2. Clemson. player. 879. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Head Coach
- Career Record (13 Seasons): 130-13
- Conference Titles: 6
- National Championships: 2
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is the “anti-Saban” in many ways. He is not as smug as Saban during press conferences. He is looser and more fun-loving during practices and games. Swinney is proof you can build a winner with a unique vision.
After Alabama fired him, Swinney spent three years away from the game. Had it not been for a chance trip to Clemson, South Carolina, Swinney might still be in the commercial real estate business. Fortunately for Clemson and college football, Tommy Bowden saw something in Swinney and the rest is history.
When it comes to recruiting, Clemson is a developmental program in many ways. Clemson has never had a No. 1 recruiting class and 2020 was their best ranking under Swinney finishing 3rd in the country.
Swinney and his staff have done a masterful job of identifying big-time recruits, such as championship-winning quarterbacks, Trevor Lawrence who was the No. 1 player in the country and Deshaun Watson who was the No. 1 dual-threat and tailored the system to accentuate their talent and ability.
His coaching tree is a bit unique because he’s built such an atmosphere–and makes sure his assistants are well compensated — that they don’t leave Clemson. For years, the only coordinator that went to become a head coach was offensive coordinator Chad Morris.
Jeff Scott has since taken the head coaching job at South Florida. Brent Venables’ name is toss around every offseason for head coaching jobs and it is only a matter of time until Tony Elliot becomes a head coach.
Saban and Swinney share Billy Napier on their coaching tree since he worked on both the Alabama and Clemson staff.
His greatest asset as a head coach is his ability to sell his message. He was never a coordinator or head coach before he was promoted after Tommy Bowden was fired. Swinney empowers his coordinators and assistants to coach while he acts as CEO and face of the program.