History of Dabo Swinney in Timeline

Dabo Swinney is the head football coach at Clemson University, taking over in 2008. He led the Clemson Tigers to national championships in 2016 and 2018, with the 2018 team considered one of the greatest in college football history. Swinney is the all-time winningest coach in Clemson football history and ACC football history, solidifying his position as a highly successful and influential figure in college football.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 20, 1969: Dabo Swinney's Birth

On November 20, 1969, William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney was born. He is now a successful American college football coach.

Others born on this day/year

1976: Bobby Dodd Award Established

The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award was established in 1976.

1981: First Major-Bowl Appearance Since 1981

In 2011, Clemson earned a trip to the Orange Bowl, their first major-bowl appearance since the 1981 national championship season.

1981: First 11-win season since 1981

In 2012, Swinney led Clemson to its first 11-win season since the 1981 national championship year

1981: Best Run Since 1981

The 2015 season marked Clemson's best run since the 1981 national championship season.

1989: Joins Alabama Crimson Tide

In 1989, Swinney joined the Alabama Crimson Tide as a walk-on wide receiver.

1989: First 10-win season since 1989

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

1990: Earns Scholarship and Letters

In 1990, Dabo Swinney earned a scholarship and lettered on three teams at Alabama.

1991: First ACC Championship Since 1991

In 2011, Clemson won their first ACC Championship since 1991.

1992: National Championship with Alabama

In 1992, Swinney was part of the Crimson Tide's National Championship team.

1993: Bachelor's Degree

In 1993, Swinney received his bachelor's degree in commerce & business administration.

December 1995: Receives MBA and Becomes Full-Time Assistant Coach

In December 1995, 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.

1998: First Losing Season Since 1998

In 2010, Clemson had its first losing season since 1998.

2000: National Titles Since 2000

Swinney's last three bowl wins have been over college programs that have all won national titles since 2000.

April 2001: Joins AIG Baker Real Estate

Starting in April 2001, Dabo Swinney worked for AIG Baker Real Estate as a commercial real estate salesman.

2001: Fired from Alabama Coaching Staff

In early 2001, Dabo Swinney was fired along with the rest of Mike DuBose's staff at Alabama.

2002: Offered Position at Clemson

In 2002, Tommy Bowden offered Swinney the position of wide receivers coach at Clemson.

February 2003: Leaves AIG Baker Real Estate

In February 2003, Dabo Swinney stopped working at AIG Baker Real Estate.

2003: Joins Clemson Coaching Staff

In 2003, Swinney joined Clemson as the wide receivers coach, also taking over as recruiting coordinator.

2007: Named Top Recruiter

In 2007, Dabo Swinney was named one of the nation's top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com.

October 13, 2008: Named Interim Head Coach

On October 13, 2008, Dabo Swinney was named the interim head football coach at Clemson after Tommy Bowden resigned.

November 1, 2008: First Victory as Head Coach

On November 1, 2008, Dabo Swinney won his first game as Clemson's head coach, defeating Boston College.

November 29, 2008: Victory Over South Carolina

On November 29, 2008, Swinney coached Clemson to a 31–14 win over South Carolina, making Clemson bowl eligible.

December 1, 2008: Named Clemson's Head Coach

On December 1, 2008, Dabo Swinney was formally named as Clemson's 27th head coach.

2008: Swinney Takes Over as Head Coach

In 2008, Dabo Swinney became the head coach of the Clemson Tigers seven games into the season, following Tommy Bowden's resignation.

2009: First Full Season Accomplishments

During the 2009 season, which was Swinney's first full season as head coach, Clemson finished with a 9-5 record, won the Atlantic Division title, and achieved a #24 AP Top 25 final season ranking.

2009: Loss in Gator Bowl

In 2009, Dabo Swinney lost the Gator Bowl to the Nebraska Cornhuskers 26–21 in his first game as the full-time head coach.

2010: Struggles and Fan Discontent

In 2010, Swinney led Clemson to a 6-6 regular season, with many close losses, leading to fan discontent and calls for his firing.

2011: Addition of Chad Morris

In 2011, Chad Morris joined the Clemson coaching staff as offensive coordinator, bringing a fast-paced spread offense.

2011: ACC Championship and Orange Bowl

In 2011, Swinney led the Tigers to a 10–3 record, an ACC Championship, and a trip to the Orange Bowl, their first major bowl appearance since 1981.

2011: Top 10 Recruiting Class

In 2011, Swinney produced a top 10 ESPN recruiting class.

2011: Coach on the Hot Seat

In 2011, Swinney was widely considered a coach on the hot seat after a disappointing 6-7 record.

2011: Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award

In 2011, Swinney won the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award.

2012: Orange Bowl Loss

In 2012, Clemson lost to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl 70-33, conceding a record number of points.

2012: 11-Win Season and Chick-fil-A Bowl Victory

In 2012, Swinney led Clemson to its first 11-win season since 1981, with a victory over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Clemson finished the year ranked 11th in the AP Poll.

2012: Another Top 10 Recruiting Class

In 2012, Swinney produced another top 10 ESPN recruiting class.

2012: Tied worst loss under Dabo Swinney

In 2013, the 51–14 loss to Florida State was the worst home loss in the history of the Clemson football program and tied with the 2012 Orange Bowl for Clemson's most lopsided loss under Dabo Swinney.

2012: Brent Venables joined Clemson

Ironically, defensive coordinator Brent Venables had held the same position with the Sooners until coming to Clemson in 2012.

2013: Third 10-win season in a row

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

December 29, 2014: Russell Athletic Bowl Victory

On December 29, 2014, Clemson defeated Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

2014: Elite Recruiting Status

As of 2014, Swinney was one of only four active head coaches to have five straight top-20 recruiting classes.

2014: Orange Bowl Victory and Top 10 Ranking

In 2014, the Clemson Tigers defeated Ohio State in the Orange Bowl, giving the Tigers their first BCS bowl victory. The Tigers finished the season ranked in the top 10 in both polls.

2015: ACC Championship and National Championship Appearance

In 2015, Swinney led Clemson to a 14-1 record, an ACC Championship, and an appearance in the national championship game. He 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.

April 12, 2016: Swinney Signs Contract Extension

On April 12, 2016, Dabo Swinney signed a six-year contract extension with the Clemson Tigers, continuing his tenure as their head coach.

July 2016: Perry Noble Fired From NewSpring Church

In July 2016, Dabo Swinney's relationship with Perry Noble, the former NewSpring pastor, changed when Noble was fired due to alcohol abuse.

2016: Clemson Wins National Championship

In 2016, Dabo Swinney's Clemson team won the national championship.

January 9, 2017: Clemson Wins National Championship

On January 9, 2017, Dabo Swinney led the Clemson Tigers to a 35–31 comeback victory over Alabama, securing the national championship and earning him the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award for the second time.