The conversation surrounding Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has changed drastically.
Remember just how bleak things looked for Dabo Swinney following the Clemson Tigers' humiliating season-opening loss to LSU? Of course you do, because the loss wasn't even a month ago yet.
Clemson then beat Georgia Southern by the skin of its teeth in Week 2, which didn't exactly do much to repair Swinney's free-falling reputation.
But since then, things have changed. A lot.
The Tigers rallied for a 28-20 win over North Carolina in Week 3, coming back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to beat a very solid Tar Heels squad.
Then, on Friday night, Clemson went into enemy territory and defeated California by a score of 24-10, utilizing a suffocating defense to thwart a potent Golden Bears passing game led by quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
Yes, the Tigers' offense labored, but it was an overall impressive road win by a Clemson squad that has now won three in a row to get to 3-1 on the campaign — and 2-0 in ACC conference play.
Now, the Tigers are preparing for a Week 5 showdown against the Miami Hurricanes, and you can bet that Memorial Stadium will be rocking for the affair. Beat Miami on Saturday, and Clemson could be off to the races.
But the fact that the Tigers have been this resilient in the face of adversity, with Swinney's job on the line, is a testament to just how much those kids love their head coach.
Clearly, Swinney hasn't lost the team. He still holds a powerful voice in that locker room. And his players obviously believe in him.
Swinney may not be the guru he was a decade ago when he had Clemson on top of the college football world, but that's due more to the landscape changing so drastically rather than Swinney himself declining.
The two-time national champion didn't suddenly forget how to coach. That genius football mind is still there. It just has to be utilized a bit differently in 2026.
But for as much as Swinney may be lacking in transfer portal conquests, it's apparent that he still knows how to motivate a squad.
Clemson appeared left for dead at the half against UNC two weeks ago. But it rallied. It then had quite the trap game versus Cal on Friday evening. It took care of business.
That is absolutely a reflection of the head coach, and if you've noticed, the "fire Dabo" campaign has absolutely quieted considerably over these last couple of weeks.
Is Swinney completely out of the woods? No, but he is definitely headed in the right direction. And his ballclub is following him.
