At ACC media days this past week Duke head coach Mike Elko called the Clemson football program “The golden standard.” The first question Dabo Swiney was asked during his time on stage was what the mindset is going into games with terms like that attached to the Tigers. His response started with “No different. Every year we start over.” Many of the answers the head coach of the Tigers gave at media day revealed two things that seemed to be very important for his team. These two things are the focus, and continue to uphold the culture Swiney has built at Clemson.
ACC Media Days: Dabo Swiney’s Views on the 2023 Tigers
Accountability and Continuity
Much of this will start with accountability within the program. In an interview with the ACC Network after being onstage, Swiney mentioned he believes this is the most accountable team he’s had the last six or seven years. For Swiney, accountability has been a key part of Clemson’s success for years. In the program, there is a point system based on this core value for the players. This accountability is what aids in keeping continuity within the program as it helps older players pass down expectations to younger teammates. Swiney sees this as a key attribute in keeping the Tigers very good year in and year out.
Recruiting
This continuity is also very important to Clemson’s recruiting efforts. Swiney was asked why the Tigers still rely on high school recruiting instead of going after more transfers like other schools have, continuity was again mentioned. He replied, “I’m going in year 15 and there’s just a lot of continuity had. We’ve got a 98% graduation rate.” Swiney then went on to mention players such as Will Putnam, Tyler Davis, Xavier Thomas, and others who are graduate players. These players had a chance to be drafted but chose to stay one more year at Clemson. This ability to retain so many players helps to not need as many transfers except to fill a few spots.
Thought’s on Cade Klubnik
The last thing Swiney touched on during his time at media day was his new starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. The second-year player was one of three player representatives for Clemson at the three-day event in Charlotte last week. As the new starter, Klubnik brings both much excitement and a little nervousness after his first start in the Orange Bowl. Swiney is very confident in the young quarterback though. He spent much of media day boasting about Klubnik’s potential and ability to lead already. The one thing Swiney made sure to let everyone know about Klubnik though is that he is a winner.
That kind of confidence he has and Klubnik seems to apply to this 2023 Clemson squad as a whole too. Everyone has their opinions on their Tigers good or bad, but Swiney knows what it will take for his team to win. He said if they hold each other accountable and continue to follow the standard Clemson has set, they will keep being the “golden standard” of the ACC.
Photo courtesy: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
