Paul Finebaum declares Dabo Swinney's Clemson dynasty dead: 'This program is flatlining right now'

The Dabo Swinney dynasty at Clemson is over, according to ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. Following a 28-7 loss to Duke Monday night, the No. 9 Tigers were left with a lot more questions than answers.

Finebaum had an answer: it’s done, over, gone, whatever you want to say. In fact, the program is flatlining according to the ESPN talking head.

What’s next? Who knows, but it doesn’t look good already for Clemson and Swinney.

“Dabo (Swinney’s) dynasty is done, what else can anyone say Greeny,” Finebaum said on Get Up. It’s really been teetering for a couple of years. But what happened last night is simply unexplainable. This was now the third loss out of the last four games for Clemson and quite frankly, I don’t see the upside. 

“They brought in Garrett Riley, he was supposed to be the savior. They had the quarterback that was going to beat Trevor Lawrence’s wunderkind and frankly, nothing happened and they didn’t lose to Florida State or Notre Dame or Alabama or Georgia. They lost to Duke which has a very good quarterback, a nice program. Nice being the operative word. They have nowhere to go and Dabo’s nonsense after the game isn’t going to impress anyone. This program is flatlining right now.”

Dabo Swinney, Clemson at crossroads following loss to Duke

Host Mike Greenberg asked Finebaum to clarify the nonsense of Swinney. Finebaum didn’t hold back about the Clemson coach.

“Dabo (Swinney) speak Greeny,” Finebaum said. “This is an old trick of his. It used to work, it’s not working anymore. It’s not resonating in that locker room. And those players right now I think are just looking at him and going, ‘okay, try a different act Dabo, we’ve heard this one before.’”

Swinney almost couldn’t believe his eyes following the loss.

“An incredibly disappointing loss,” Swinney said postgame. “In all my years of football, I’ve never been part of a game like that. … You’ve got to finish and obviously we did not do that. So many opportunities. Twice first and goal from the 1, you get no points, it’s really really disappointing. Got to give (Duke) credit. They hung in there and made plays. Congratulations to Duke. They’ve got a heck of a team.”

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik couldn’t get much going. He was 27-of-43 passing for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

By comparison, Duke quarterback Riley Leonard went 17-of-33 passing for 175 yards and ran for 98 yards and a touchdown, which actually gave Duke a 13-7 lead the team never relinquished.

Clemson hosts Charleston Southern Saturday while Duke hosts Lafayette in Week 2.