Dabo Swinney doubles down on fiery rant to fan: âI had some idiot go Old Testament on meâ
Dabo Swinney didn’t back down Tuesday morning from comments he made to a fan a day earlier that made national headlines.
During Monday’s edition of “Tiger Calls,” a caller identified only as “Tyler from Spartanburg” (who sounded like a teenager or young adult) asked Swinney (among other things) why he’s paid nearly $11 million per year if his team is now 4-4 and seemingly getting worse by the year.
On Tuesday, when meeting with the media, the Clemson coach go into the details of the call.
“I had some idiot go Old Testament on me, and he got an Old Testament response,” Swinney said. “Y’all print that one … I’m gonna fight for this program.”
Swinney called out Tyler on Monday, saying he was part of the problem.
“What else is there to add?” Swinney said to reporters asking a follow-up question. “I’m gonna fight for this program. That’s why no coaches don’t take calls. That’s why right there. People hijack the calls.”
Swinney, a former Alabama walk-on wide receiver, acknowledges the record this season isn’t what it should be. “I’m not asking people to be happy,” he said. I’m just saying don’t eat our own.”
Swinney doubled down on the balance between expectation and appreciation.
“Even when we’ve won, everybody’s miserable,” he said. “That’s sad. That’s really sad. I’m thankful for the struggle. I’m thankful for the opportunity to teach in a way I haven’t had a way to teach in a long time. So sit back and enjoy the journey. That’s what I would tell you.”
Clemson (4-4) faces Notre Dame on Saturday.
“As I said last night to my new friend, I’ve been a part of failure many times, but I ain’t ever failed at anything I have set out to do in anything in my life. Ever. Ever.
“We’re in the midst of an amazing journey in college football history, and I’m not going to let one season, when I know exactly what the issues are, and a bunch of great kids and great coaches, I’m not going to let one season dampen that. I’m going to fight for this program. Hopefully, we can get back to some appreciation around here. It’s freakin’ hard to win. All you have to do is look around the country.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.