Clemson Fans Don’t Care They Won: Drag Dabo Swinney and Call for Changes After Victory

Clemson Fans Don’t Care They Won: Drag Dabo Swinney and Call for Changes After Victory.

Clemson University’s football team walked off the field with a 31-20 win over the Syracuse Orange on Saturday afternoon, but you wouldn’t know it from the reaction of many Tigers fans. The victory, which extended Clemson’s winning streak to three games, was overshadowed by an undercurrent of frustration and disappointment that has been building within the fanbase throughout the season.

While a win typically elicits celebration and joy in college football, Clemson fans seem to be feeling more disillusioned than jubilant. The problem, it seems, is that despite the victory, the issues that have plagued the Tigers all season long remain glaringly apparent. And for many fans, the blame is squarely placed on one person: head coach Dabo Swinney.

The Win That Feels Like a Loss

For all intents and purposes, a 31-20 win over Syracuse is a solid, conference victory. But as the final whistle blew and the Clemson players celebrated, social media exploded with complaints, calls for changes, and a mounting frustration that has been slowly bubbling up since the beginning of the season.

Clemson fans, particularly those who have grown accustomed to championship-caliber football, simply aren’t satisfied with a “good enough” performance. They want more than just a win—they want the type of dominant, high-powered football that has defined the program under Swinney for over a decade. And they are increasingly convinced that their head coach is no longer capable of delivering that.

Swinney’s tenure at Clemson has been defined by great success, including two national championships (2016, 2018) and consistently finishing near the top of the college football world. However, after a dominant run in the late 2010s, the Tigers have stumbled in recent years, and 2024 is no exception. Despite the victory on Saturday, fans have been vocal about their frustrations with the team’s playcalling, lackluster offensive performances, and questionable personnel decisions.

The Offense is Stagnant

One of the major sticking points for fans is Clemson’s offense, which has been a shadow of the high-octane, explosive unit that made the Tigers a household name. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, a highly touted recruit, has struggled to find consistency in his second year as the starter. While the sophomore signal-caller has shown flashes of brilliance, he has also been prone to mistakes, and the offense has often lacked the fluidity and rhythm that fans came to expect under former offensive coordinator Tony Elliott.

Despite adding highly-ranked recruits, the offense continues to sputter, and it’s clear to many that Swinney’s refusal to make substantial changes or embrace modern offensive schemes is contributing to the stagnation. The reluctance to hire an experienced offensive coordinator, opting instead for a promotion from within the program with Garrett Riley, has left many fans questioning whether Swinney is out of touch with the current state of college football.

Clemson’s 31-20 victory over Syracuse included several unflattering moments for the offense. Klubnik threw for only 180 yards and one touchdown, and while the running game showed some signs of life, it wasn’t enough to inspire confidence. Fans took to social media and radio call-in shows, voicing their displeasure with the lack of offensive creativity and the inability to establish a consistent rhythm.

The Dabo Effect: A Love-Hate Relationship CLEMSON TIGERS HEAD COACH IN INTERVIEW SAYED THE CHANGE IS HERE

Swinney’s reputation as one of the best coaches in college football has been built on his infectious personality, his commitment to building relationships with players, and his success on the field. He’s beloved for his enthusiasm, faith, and energy, and has created a culture that’s tough to replicate. Yet this same unwavering loyalty and optimism has now become a double-edged sword for Clemson.

Many fans feel that Swinney has grown too comfortable in his role, relying too heavily on past success and not adapting quickly enough to the changing landscape of college football. The decision to keep a tight grip on his coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, has led to accusations of stubbornness. The game has evolved, and the Tigers’ offense has struggled to keep up.

“Dabo’s a great guy, but it’s time for a change,” said one frustrated Clemson fan on a popular Tigers message board. “We’ve had enough of the same old excuses. We need an offensive mastermind who can fix this team’s issues. Dabo can’t keep relying on 2018 magic. The game has passed him by.”

Fans Want Accountability, Not Excuses

Another key complaint from Clemson supporters is the ongoing lack of accountability. While Swinney’s infectious positivity has made him a fan favorite, it has also created a culture where criticism is often brushed aside or explained away. After the win over Syracuse, Swinney was quick to praise his team for finding a way to win despite not playing their best, but fans were less impressed with his focus on moral victories.

“The excuses have to stop,” another Clemson fan tweeted after the game. “We can’t keep hearing that this team is ‘young’ or that they ‘found a way to win.’ This is Clemson football, not a rebuilding project. We expect more.”

The frustration is compounded by Swinney’s public stance on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and the transfer portal. He has been vocal about his skepticism of the new college football landscape, and many fans believe that his refusal to fully embrace these changes is holding the program back. As other schools have adapted and thrived, Clemson’s reluctance to adjust to these new realities has led to recruiting challenges and, in some cases, the loss of key players to the transfer portal.

Looking Ahead: Will Dabo Change?

With Clemson’s season hanging in the balance and fan frustrations at a boiling point, the question remains: will Dabo Swinney make the necessary adjustments? Fans are hoping that Swinney can recapture the magic of his earlier years at Clemson, but they also recognize that change is inevitable for a program to remain elite.

As Clemson moves forward in the 2024 season, the tension between the fans’ desire for success and Swinney’s traditional approach to leadership continues to grow. While Saturday’s win over Syracuse may have been a step in the right direction, it was clear that the victory did little to quell the growing discontent among the Clemson faithful. For many, the win only highlighted how far the Tigers have fallen from their once-dominant perch.

In the end, it seems that Clemson fans don’t care much about the win—they care about the future, and whether Dabo Swinney can adapt, evolve, and lead the Tigers back to championship glory. Until then, the calls for change will only continue to grow louder.