Paul Finebaum offers grim prediction for Dabo Swinney’s future

Could Dabo Swinney’s tenure as Clemson head coach be nearing its end? ESPN’s Paul Finebaum thinks so.

During an appearance Monday morning on WJOX-94.5’s “McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning,” Finebaum shared a grim prognosis about Swinney’s Clemson future.

After delivering an epic rant following criticism from “Tyler from Spartanburg” last season, chances are Swinney won’t take kindly to what “Paul from Memphis” had to say. 

“People that graduated from Clemson, people that are Clemon fans — they don’t think Dabo Swinney is going to be there a long time,” said Finebaum. (h/t On3)

“When I say ‘long time,’ I mean three to five years. I think his time is nearly up,” elaborated the SEC apologist.

As On3’s Griffin McVeigh noted, Swinney’s failure to develop a strong name, image and likeness (NIL) program at Clemson has set the team back in the evolving landscape of college football.

According to On3’s transfer portal team rankings, Clemson is 66th this offseason out of 70 ranked programs. It’s also the only team without any additions through the portal since the end of the 2023 season.

The Tigers have been in a bit of a rough patch under Swinney for the past few years. Clemson has had as many losses over the last three seasons (10) as it had from 2014-20.

Swinney, entering his 17th season leading the program, signed a 10-year extension in September 2022 that runs through the 2031 season. Per Sports Illustrated, Swinney has a $60 million buyout over the next two seasons. The figure drops to $57 million in 2026. SI notes that beginning in 2027, a buyout would be determined by whatever remains on the two-time national champion head coach’s contract.

Of course, one strong season could change the narrative surrounding the program entirely. Per Acton Network, Clemson (+282) has the second-best consensus odds of winning the ACC behind Florida State.