William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney (born November 20, 1969 in ) is the head coach of the Clemson University Tigers football team; he was previously assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.

Playing career

Swinney was raised in Pelham, Alabama, and attended the University of Alabama, where he joined the Crimson Tide football program as a walk-on wide receiver in 1989. Swinney earned a scholarship and lettered on three teams (1990–1992), including the Crimson Tide's 1992 National Championship team. During his time as an undergraduate at Alabama, he was twice named an Academic All-SEC and SEC Scholar Athlete Honor Roll member. He received his degree in commerce & business administration in 1993. He also received a master's degree in business administration from Alabama in 1995.

Coaching career

Alabama

After graduation, Swinney joined the Alabama coaching staff as a graduate assistant, serving from 1993–1995. In December 1995 he received his M.B.A from Alabama and became a full-time coach of the Crimson Tide, in charge of wide receivers and tight ends. He was fired with all of head coach Mike DuBose's staff in early 2001.

Swinney sat out the 2001 season while receiving his contractual payments from Alabama. His former strength coach at Alabama, Richard Wingo, had become president of Birmingham-based AIG Baker Real Estate and offered him a job. From April 2001 through February 2003, he did not coach and instead worked for AIG Baker Real Estate on development projects in Alabama.

Clemson

In 2002, his former position coach at Alabama, Tommy Bowden, made an offer for him to join his staff and coach wide receivers at Clemson, and Swinney joined in 2003. He took over as Recruiting Coordinator from popular longtime coordinator Rick Stockstill. Swinney proved to be both an excellent wide receivers coach as well as recruiting coordinator, coaching ACC-leading receivers and being named one of the nation's top 25 recruiters in 2007 by Rivals.com. In January 2007, he was approached by new Alabama head coach Nick Saban about rejoining the Crimson Tide, but Swinney opted to stay with the Tigers.

Swinney was named the interim head football coach on October 13, 2008, after previous head coach Tommy Bowden resigned six games into the 2008 season. The Tigers had started the year ranked #9 in the preseason polls, but then went 3–3 (1–2 ACC) in their first six games. Swinney was surprised by his promotion; at the time he was informed he was working with the wide receivers on their upcoming game.

With a reputation as a top-notch recruiter with good candor with boosters and the media, Swinney was chosen over Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, former head coach of Wyoming, and associate head coach Brad Scott, former head coach of South Carolina. One of Swinney's first actions as head coach was introducing a new tradition, the "Tiger Walk", where all players and coaches walk through the parking lot outside Memorial Stadium about two hours before a game as they head inside for final game preparations. On November 1, 2008, Swinney claimed his first victory as the Tigers' head coach by defeating Boston College, breaking Clemson's 50 year winless streak against the Eagles. On November 29, 2008, Swinney coached Clemson to a 31-14 win over South Carolina in the annual rivalry game, after which Clemson became bowl eligible.

On December 1, 2008, Swinney received a five-year contract to become Clemson's full-time head coach.

Head coaching record

‡ – Took over midseason from Tommy Bowden, who resigned on Oct. 13, 2008.

Personal

Swinney's nickname was given to him as an infant by his parents when his then-15-month-old brother would try to enunciate "that boy" when referring to Swinney. He married the former Kathleen Bassett in 1994 and has three sons.

During a press conference on Monday, December 1, Swinney named many influential people who played pivotal roles in his life. Of most influence was a high school coach and athletic director. While playing high school football, his coach, S. Haithcock, made a tremendous impression upon Swinney.

Swinney's desk at Clemson features a sign that notes "There is nothing less important than the score at halftime."

While in college at The University of Alabama, Swinney was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

References

1. Jon Solomon, Former Alabama player, assistant Dabo Swinney will face beloved Tide on Saturday, The Birmingham News, August 27, 2008, Accessed October 13, 2008.
2. Clemson's Bowden steps down, Associated Press, October 13, 2008, Accessed October 14, 2008. .
3. Mark Schlabach, Bowden ousted at Clemson; coach 'deserved' to be fired, QB says, ESPN.com, October 13, 2008, Accessed October 13, 2008.
4. Heather Dinich, Swinney ready to move forward at 'full speed', ESPN.com, October 14, 2008, Accessed October 14, 2008.
5. Heather Dinich, Clemson turns to Swinney for remainder of season, ESPN.com, October 13, 2008, Accessed October 13, 2008.
6. Interim Clemson boss Swinney introduces 'Tiger Walk', Associated Press, October 16, 2008, Accessed October 17, 2008.
7. Paul Strelow, Family Tides break upon Clemson coach, TheState.com, August 20, 2008, Accessed October 14, 2008.

External links

• Dabo Swinney - Official Clemson biography