Dabo Swinney addresses the possibility of Sammy Watkins returning to Clemson as a coach

Sammy Watkins is set to be inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame during Saturday’s game against Louisville. The former receiver is one of the best players in Tigers history and helped Dabo Swinney take the program to new heights.

Could Sammy Watkins return to Clemson as a coach down the line? That’s a question that was asked to Swinney on Tuesday.

Swinney shared that he is working to get Sammy Watkins back to Clemson to finish his degree and potentially join the Tigers staff.

“We’re trying to get him to, we’ve talked about timing and all of that,” Dabo Swinney said. “His kids are athletes. He’s got some competitive athletes that he’s got a lot going on there. But he does want to finish school at some point. So I’ve been trying to get him to come back and help us out and finish up. So we’ll see.”

Sammy Watkins earned All-American honors three times during his Clemson career, including in 2013 when he caught 101 passes for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns. He still holds the Clemson record for receptions and yards in a season.

Watkins also owns the single-game Clemson record and Orange Bowl record for receptions and yards in a game with 16 catches for 227 yards in a win over Ohio State.

He finished his career with 240 receptions for 3,391 yards and 27 touchdowns. Swinney shared just how important of a player Sammy Watkins was for the Tigers.

“I think about his first catch. He just ran a hitch and he took it to the house. I think about the RPO. This is kind of when RPOs were just coming about, that we hit on Georgia. … So many great plays from Sammy Watkins,” Swinney said. “Obviously the way he ended his career with a record in the Orange Bowl. All the catches that he had. I mean he was just amazing.

“Sammy was a problem. So just a great human being. One of my favorite guys. … He’s a great father. He’s a great husband. I mean he’s just a great spirit. Love talking to him. And certainly incredibly deserving of this. But he was one of those guys that helped change us. … Just kind of helped put us on another level. With Tajh Boyd back there running the show, it was something to behold.”