Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Facing Serious Backlash From Player's Family

As the Clemson Tigers get set to travel to play Florida State on Saturday, all eyes will be on how head coach Dabo Swinney's team performs with a 4-3 record.

Following the Tigers' 20-16 loss to Virginia Tech, Swinney suggested the team would be switching its goals for the remainder of the season, with the first goal being to win the next game. It remains to be seen how much buy-in he will get from his players amid a second consecutive disappointing season.

There are rumblings of dissatisfaction surrounding the program.

Brian Davidson, father of running back Gideon Davidson, posted to X a quote from UNC baseball coach Scott Jackson, who criticized Swinney for calling out Gideon in a radio appearance on Monday night, when Swinney argued Gideon was sidelined for most of the second half against VT after converting a 3rd and 1 that the head coach believed could have gone for a touchdown.

Per Brian, Jackson argued that coaches should "take up" for players and defend them. He didn't understand why Swinney would call out players who have the "character" of Gideon.

Davidson leads the Tigers in rushing with 492 yards and five touchdowns on 93 carries. He's averaging 5.3 yards per rush.

In the loss to VT, Davidson rushed 14 times for 62 yards, 4.4 yards per rush. On an off night for the offense, choosing to sideline Davidson didn't help the coaching staff, as the unit was unable to score in the fourth quarter.

As a whole, Clemson rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown on 36 carries. Quarterback Tait Reynolds was the leading rusher, gaining 63 yards and a score on 18 carries. Running backs Jarvis Green and Chris Johnson Jr. combined for -2 yards on three carries.

Swinney criticized other players in the loss to Virginia Tech, suggesting Reynolds ran the wrong play on the 4th-and-9 play on the Tigers' final offensive play of the game that ended in a sack. Reynolds was sacked on a play-action play, but Swinney said there was no play-action call. 

There is certainly some disconnect here between the coaching staff and the players. They're not on the same page on the field. Criticizing players might not help Swinney keep talent on the field for the future.

If Clemson loses more games, it will be interesting to see if he loses the locker room. He appears to be losing some of the parents.