This is why Dabo Swinney was on Raiders sideline in team gear

Dabo Swinney was seen on the sideline of the Raiders latest game against the Washington Football Team, spurring some rumors.

We’ll start with the obvious — no, Swinney isn’t in the conversation to become the Raiders next head coach, as far as we know. There haven’t been rumors connecting the current Clemson coach to Las Vegas, not to mention his buyout and forfeiture of future earnings make it less than optimal, assuming he’s not getting Jon Gruden money.

Speaking of Gruden, who was forced out due to an email controversy that included offensive language, the Raiders need a new head coach. Interim man Rich Bisaccia isn’t expected to be retained after the season.

Swinney would be an impact hire, but he’s reshaped the Clemson program into his image, and it’s one of the best jobs in college football. Unless he’s itching to go pro, the Raiders are a weird fit.

Why was Dabo Swinney at the Raiders game?

Clelin Ferrell, CB Trayvon Mullen, WR Hunter Renfrow, and G John Simpson all went to Clemson. The answer really is that simple. Swinney is just there to catch a professional football game and watch some of his former players. It’s actually quite admirable.

It makes sense Swinney would rather live in the past, with Clemson having a down year this season. For the first time in what feels like a generation, Clemson didn’t even participate in the ACC Championship Game. Instead, Pitt defeated Wake Forest for that honor.

Swinney has a tremendous relationship with the Raiders, and Vegas QB Derek Carr, despite the fact that Carr didn’t even play for him at Clemson.

“Dabo Swinney literally has FaceTimed me or texted me more than like my coaches that I played with in college. I promise,” Carr said. “This man FaceTimed me the other day, and it wasn’t even anything about Hunter. He’s like, ‘Hey man, keep it going. Man, so proud of you. I’m so fired up.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re getting me fired up.’”

So, you can see the connection. However, for now, there isn’t much to base a rumor around. Raiders fans can go back to their regularly-scheduled programming.