One particular narrative surrounding Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers has been called "dumb" by a top analyst.
After a brutal 2025 campaign in which the Clemson Tigers went just 7-6 and loss to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl, some have wondered if Dabo Swinney could be in his final days as the program's head coach.
Clemson has not won a playoff game since January 2021, it had been largely inactive in the transfer portal until this past winter and it also doesn't seem to have the same pull on the recruiting circuit.
However, top college football analyst Josh Pate simply does not agree with the narrative that Swinney is on the hot seat and ripped the mere thought of it during a recent episode of The College Football Show.
“I hadn’t put Dabo Swinney on the hot seat,” Pate said. “Maybe other people have. Maybe you’ve heard other people say that. I haven’t done that. I think that’s dumb.”
Pate also thinks there is quite a bit to like about Clemson heading into 2026.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney. Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.“So last year, what could they not do? They couldn’t run the ball. They couldn’t defend the pass,” Pate added. “They were 105th in rush yards per game. They were 120th in pass yards allowed per game. So, did that change? I think so. Yeah. There’s a lot to like about the team. I’m not trashing Clemson. There’s a lot to like about this team."
The Tigers were ranked 23rd in the preseason Coaches Poll and finished just outside the top 25 AP Poll. Some heavily disagreed with the fact that Clemson was ranked at all, but then there are others who believe Swinney's club could be a sleeper CFP contender.
“I know what logic says. Logic says they had their shot last year,” Pate said. “Their roster was more talented last year. If they didn’t get it done last year, why would I expect them to get it done this year? I understand. I’ve even thought that way. Just let’s not marry preseason notions, is all I’m saying.”
The Tigers are definitely a talented group going into the new season, but they were also teeming with talent last fall. That being said, just because it didn't work out last year does not mean Clemson is doomed to fail in 2026.
We'll see if Swinney and the Tigers can prove all of the naysayers wrong when they open up against LSU on Sept. 5.
