Dabo Swinney becomes Clemson's all-time winningest football coach following win vs. Notre Dame

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney has already accomplished things that no other football coach could ever dream of in Death Valley. He’s brought home two national championships and eight ACC crowns, among many other impressive achievements.

On Saturday afternoon against Notre Dame, he finally won one more game, giving him 166 wins for his career, making him the winningest football coach in Clemson program history.

Swinney recently tied Frank Howard’s school record of 165 wins with the Tigers’ Week 6 victory over Wake Forest. On Saturday against Notre Dame, he finally broke that record in dramatic fashion, shattering the record that stood for almost 54 years.

Before Saturday, Swinney was tied with Frank Howard, Bobby Dodd (Georgia Tech), and Fielding Yost of Michigan at No. 49 on the list of all-time winningest college football coaches at major programs, according to College Football Reference. Only three active head coaches are currently ahead of Swinney–Alabama’s Nick Saban (No. 5 with 286 wins), UNC’s Mack Brown (No. 7 with 274) and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (no. 20 with 192).

His best season in Death Valley without a doubt came in 2018, when he led Clemson to an undefeated 15-0 overall record. The Tigers won the national championship with Trevor Lawrence under center and finished the year atop the college football world. They also had Travis Etienne at running back, forming one of the most dynamic quarterback-running back combinations in college football history during their time at Clemson.

Another crowning achievement for Swinney came in 2016, when Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson guided the Tigers to a 14-1 overall record and a national championship. The Tigers defeated Alabama 35-31 in what went down as one of the more memorable national championship games in college football history.

Swinney’s milestone accomplishment for all-time wins comes at a strange time for the Tigers head coach. He’s come under fire from the Clemson fan base in recent years for his unwillingness to adapt to the new era of college football and the transfer portal. The Tigers’ place in the college football pecking order has certainly slipped plenty in the past few years and the fans have let him know about their frustrations.

Before becoming the interim head coach at Clemson in 2007, Swinney coached the wide receivers for the Tigers from 2003 to 2006. He also spent several years coaching with the Alabama Crimson Tide (1993-2000). Swinney was a graduate assistant in Tuscaloosa, and he also spent time coaching their wide receivers and tight ends.