Notre Dame nearly got left out of the fall football season but the ACC offered the Fighting Irish the opportunity to join the league as a full-time member for the 2020 season.

While this proposal was for just one season, Dabo Swinney wouldn’t mind seeing the Irish stay in the ACC for good.

“I’m happy they’re in the league,” Swinney said during his recent press conference. “Heck, I wish they were a permanent member in the league, to be honest with you. I think it’d be great. But Notre Dame is obviously one of the best programs in the history of college football. I think it’s, again, it’s a unique year, it’s a unique situation and this year, we have no divisions, 15 teams (in the league).

“Every week, I always keep up with the ACC and what’s going on. Typically I may not be checking in on Notre Dame every week, but this year, certainly be paying closer attention because not do we play them but they are in our league.”

Clemson and Notre Dame have faced off just four times on the gridiron with the Tigers holding a 3-1 advantage in the series. During the 2018 College Football Playoff, Clemson beat Notre Dame 30-3.

As Swinney noted, the two teams are set to face off once again this fall come Nov. 7 at Notre Dame in a game set to be televised by NBC.