Swinney Believes Clemson’s Stock Still High

CLEMSON — Following last year’s win over Notre Dame, Dabo Swinney told ESPN’s Molly McGrath it was time to buy stock in Clemson Football again.

Heading into their game with the 12 ^th -ranked Irish at the time, the Tigers were 4-4 and everyone from the national media to the fans on Swinney’s call-in radio show were putting them down. However, Clemson put it all together in Death Valley on that sun-rich afternoon, as the Tigers overtook Notre Dame 31-23.

“I know we are down, and everybody is throwing dirt on us, but if Clemson is a stock, you better buy all you freakin’ can right now,” a jubilant Swinney said.

Clemson’s stock did rise after its win over the Irish. The Tigers went on to win their next four games, including another over a nationally ranked team in North Carolina.

They finished the season with a five-game win streak, currently the third longest win streak in the country heading into 2024.

As Clemson heads into the new season, where is the Tigers’ stock. Are you buying or selling.

“If you want to buy stock, do you want to buy one that is hot sometimes and then cold as a dead fish? We are pretty steady,” Swinney said.

Clemson has been steady under Swinney. The Tigers have finished every season since 2011 ranked in the top 25, most of those in the top 10. They have won two national championships, been to the College Football Playoff six times and has won eight ACC Championships.

They also have won at least nine games every year, joined only by Alabama. Only once in Swinney’s 15 full years as Clemson’s head coach, have the Tigers not won at least nine games and finished ranked in the final Associated Press College Football Poll.

“We are the second winningest team in the country, the last thirteen years. That is pretty steady, pretty consistent,” Swinney said. “We are not perfect. We have had a little dip here and there, but over the long haul, we are pretty good stock.”

Swinney, obviously, still believes in the Clemson stock, though the 14 ^th -ranked Tigers open the season against No. 1 Georgia in the Aflac Kickoff Classic in Atlanta on Aug. 31. No one outside of the Allen Reeves Football Complex is giving the Tigers much of a shot to beat the Bulldogs.

“I’d invest in those Tigers,” Swinney said. “I think we are going to be around for a long time. We got a lot of stability and a lot of continuity. We got a great roster. Great kids and a great staff. Great administration, a great fan base.

“There has always been a lot to like about Clemson. Nothing has changed.”