Dabo Swinney responds to transfer portal critics after reaching College Football Playoff

Since the Transfer Portal first allowed players to immediately play if they switched schools, there has been a balance for coaches in regards to how heavily they rely on it. However, one coach who has rarely used it, and in response received plenty of criticism, is Dabo Swinney of Clemson.

This season, despite criticism of Swinney’s Transfer Portal usage, Clemson was able to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff. Still, even amid that success, he emphasized the value of avoiding worrying about that criticism.

“Did y’all write anything different or is it the same…I’ve been taking shots since I got this job,” Dabo Swinney said. “What’s changed? Since the day I got this job, I have been taking shots. Taking shots. I’ve been taking shots for sixteen years. We just keep winning. We just keep going about our business and being purpose-driven. I really don’t pay attention to any of that stuff. I really don’t.”

Since taking over at Clemson in 2008, Dabo Swinney has a record of 180-46. That includes two national championships in the four-team College Football Playoff era. Still, since 2021, every Clemson team has lost at least three games and has missed the Playoff, leading to concerns that the Tigers had taken a step back amid changes in the sport.

“I know some coaches may say that,” Swinney said. “But I really don’t. So just pay attention to what is important and what matters, that’s these guys, that’s our program, what’s best for Clemson, and so forth. Yeah, I don’t worry about any of that stuff.”

Notably, this year, Dabo Swinney and Clemson are getting a little more active in the Transfer Portal. In the 2025 cycle, Clemson has already added a transfer to its class. While one transfer isn’t a lot, especially in comparison to some other schools, it is already an increase from last season when the Tigers didn’t take anyone from the portal.

For the time being, however, Dabo Swinney will want the focus to be on winning in the College Football Playoff. That won’t be easy either, as the Tigers are going to be on the road playing the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the Playoff. It’s a game they ended up being in as the 12th seed despite winning the ACC. The winner will then have the opportunity to advance to take on Arizona State at a neutral site in the Peach Bowl.