31 Facts About Dabo Swinney

William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney is an American college football coach, currently serving as the head football coach at Clemson University.

Dabo Swinney is the winningest head coach in Clemson football history and ACC football history.

Dabo Swinney attended Pelham High School, where he played a number of sports, including baseball and football.

Nevertheless, Dabo Swinney was an honor student and continued to excel in football.

Dabo Swinney worked a number of low wage jobs during the summer of his sophomore year in order to pay for tuition, rent, and other expenses.

Dabo Swinney was involved in Greek Life during college, and was initiated as a brother of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Dabo Swinney joined the Alabama Crimson Tide as a walk-on wide receiver in 1989.

Dabo Swinney earned a scholarship and lettered on three teams, including the Crimson Tide's 1992 National Championship team.

In December 1995, Dabo Swinney received his MBA from Alabama and became a full-time assistant coach for the Crimson Tide in charge of wide receivers and tight ends.

Dabo Swinney retained these posts under Stallings' successor, Mike DuBose.

Dabo Swinney was fired with all of DuBose's staff in early 2001.

Dabo Swinney sat out the 2001 season while receiving his contractual payments from Alabama.

Dabo Swinney took over as recruiting coordinator from popular longtime coordinator Rick Stockstill.

Dabo Swinney proved to be both an excellent wide receivers coach as well as recruiting coordinator, coaching ACC-leading receivers and being named one of the nation's top 25 recruiters in 2007 by Rivals.

Dabo Swinney was named the interim head football coach on October 13,2008, after head coach Tommy Bowden resigned six games into the season.

On November 1,2008, Dabo Swinney claimed his first victory as the Tigers' head coach by defeating Boston College, breaking Clemson's six-game losing streak against the Eagles.

Dabo Swinney's recruiting reputation became evident when he produced five top-20 ESPN recruiting classes in a row, including top 10 classes in 2011 and 2012.

Dabo Swinney was the 2011 winner of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, which was established to honor the NCAA Division 1 football coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

Dabo Swinney was a finalist for the third time in his career for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year.

In 2013, Dabo Swinney guided the Tigers to their third 10-win season in a row, their first since 1989.

Under Dabo Swinney, Clemson had their fourth 10-win season in a row, making them one of only four schools to achieve the feat in the last four seasons.

Dabo Swinney was named ACC Coach of the Year, AFCA Coach of the Year, Associated Press Coach of Year, Walter Camp Coach of the Year, Home Depot Coach of the Year, and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award.

Later in the season, Dabo Swinney earned his 97th career win at Clemson, vaulting him past Danny Ford to become the second-winningest coach in school history.

Dabo Swinney was named ACC Coach of the Year and the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year for the 2018 season.

Dabo Swinney won his fifth straight ACC Championship with a dismantling of Virginia in the championship game.

On September 8,2022, Dabo Swinney signed a contract extension through 2031 worth $115 million.

Dabo Swinney led the team to a five-game winning streak to close out the season.

Dabo Swinney led the Tigers to an appearance in the College Football Playoff as the 12-seed.

Dabo Swinney attends NewSpring Church and often brings players and recruits with him to church.

Dabo Swinney was friends with former Newspring pastor Perry Noble since 2007, but their relationship changed when Noble was fired due to alcohol abuse in July 2016.

Dabo Swinney is married to his high school sweetheart Kathleen Swinney, with whom he has three sons, and resides in Clemson, South Carolina.