The Clemson Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney have had a rough go of it so far during the 2025 college football season.
After entering the season viewed as a top-tier national championship contender, they have played anything but like one. Through the first five games of the year, Clemson has mustered up a 2-5 record.
Due to the sluggish start to the season and the Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes hanging on by a thread, rumors have started coming out about Swinney’s future. Could Clemson consider moving on from its longtime head coach?
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While those rumblings are hanging over his head, Swinney is focused on getting the Tigers back on track this season. He’s also making it known that he has not been happy with NCAA officiating this season across the nation.
Swinney made an appearance on his weekly radio show and blasted officiating throughout college football.
“I’m not saying it’s easy to officiate, but it just seems like there’s a ton of inconsistency all across the nation – not just in this league,” Swinney said. “So, I have no idea. When I think it’s targeting, it’s not. And when I think it’s roughing, it’s not. And when I think it’s not, it is. I have no idea.”
He continued on, sharing more of his frustration about the lack of consistency in how the referees call both targeting and roughing the passer.
“I have no idea what targeting is or roughing the passer. I have no clue,” Swinney said. “Yeah, it’s just crazy. It’s hard. It’s hard to coach it. These are big people. They’re not ninja turtles. They’re not superhuman people. It’s just really hard.
Many will agree with Swinney’s comments. The officiating has been hit-or-miss all season long. Too many times, calls have made an impact on a game where the call shouldn’t have been made.
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That being said, Swinney will now turn his attention to this week’s matchup on the road against Boston College. Getting back to .500 would continue to keep Clemson’s slim playoff hopes alive. Swinney also may be coaching for his job.
It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for both Swinney and the Tigers’ football program. Hopefully, he’s able to get Clemson back on track and finish the year out strong.
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