Dabo Swinney says contrary to public reaction, seeing assistants leave has been fun: ‘People thought … I was dying’
By Keith Farner
Published:
Dabo Swinney is going through a major staff transition as both of his coordinators have left in recent days as Brent Venables took the head coaching job at Oklahoma, and Tony Elliott did the same at Virginia.
For some Clemson fans, it has been a shock and enough that they have checked on Swinney, he shared at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I can’t tell you how many people were checking on me the last 2 weeks, thought I was like dying or something,” Swinney said. “I’m like, ‘What is going on, this is a blast.’ I just don’t get that. This is an absolute blast. You get to see people you love, you help them, and see them get an opportunity.”
Swinney then said it was, in fact, sad because he wouldn’t be with them every day, and he suggested it was like when former QB Trevor Lawrence left for the NFL.
“I’m so excited for that next challenge and next opportunity,” Swinney said. “That’s what life’s all about. Trust me, we’re going to be just fine, just like we always have.”
Swinney even went as far as to say the program would be just fine if he left the program.
“Clemson is built to last,” he said. “There’s a culture here…that’s rooted deeply. This place is so much bigger than me…than any assistant coach…it’s going to be a blast to see it all come together.”
Clemson promoted Wes Goodwin from Senior Defensive Assistant to Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach and added the role of Co-Defensive Coordinator for Safeties Coach Mickey Conn. The Tigers also promoted Brandon Streeter to Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach.
.@ClemsonFB Dabo Swinney on the changes over the last 2 weeks, “We’ll be just fine…Clemson is built to last. There’s a culture here…that’s rooted deeply. This place is so much bigger than me…than any assistant coach…it’s going to be a blast to see it all come together.” pic.twitter.com/9A1hU9Jf2u
— Julia Morris (@JMorrisWYFF4) December 14, 2021
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
