Dabo Swinney - Lessons from Great Coaches for Today’s Leaders Series
Dabo Swinney’s coaching story reads like something out of a movie—unthinkable odds, rare achievements, and a level of success that only the elite in any sport, anywhere in the world, ever reach. But what makes him truly remarkable isn’t just the trophies or the titles… it’s the fabric of the man behind them.
If you had to sum him up in just four words, what would you choose?
Here are mine: Enthusiastic. Passionate. Leader. Faithful.
What are yours? Stick around—there’s more to come.
Coach’s Snapshot
William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney born November 20, 1969 (55 yrs old)
Swinney's parents, Carol McIntosh and Ervil Swinney. The couple had three boys: Tracy, Tripp, and William (Dabo).
Swinney's nickname "Dabo" was given to him as an infant by his brother, Tripp, who would try to enunciate "that boy" when referring to Swinney
Playing Career: Swinney played football for the Alabama Crimson Tide as a walk-on wide receiver in 1989. He earned a scholarship and lettered on three teams (1990–1992), including the Crimson Tide's 1992 National Championship team.During his time as an undergraduate at Alabama, Swinney was twice named an Academic All-SEC and SEC Scholar Athlete Honor Roll member. In three seasons at Alabama, he caught seven passes for 81 yards.
Coaching Career:
1993–1995 Alabama (Graduate Assistant)
1996-2000 Alabama Assistant Coach
2003-2008 Clemson Assistant Coach
2008 Clemson Interim Head Coach
2009 - Present Clemson Head Coach
Coaching Career Highlights:
Head coaching record
Overall 180–47
Bowls 12–9
Tournaments 6–5 (CFP)
Accomplishments and honors
2 national championships(2016, 2018)
9 ACC Championships (2011, 2015–2020, 2022, 2024)
10 ACC Atlantic Division Championships (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015–2020, 2022)
Awards
3× Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2015, 2016, 2018)
AFCA Coach of the Year (2015)
AP College Football Coach of the Year (2015)
Sporting News Coach of the Year (2015)
Home Depot Coach of the Year (2015)
Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2011)
Walter Camp Coach of the Year (2015)
George Munger Award (2015)
Woody Hayes Trophy Coach of the Year (2018)
2× ACC Coach of the Year (2015, 2018)
Dabo Swinney - Head Coach Clemson, Brent Venables - in the photo was Defensive Coordinator Clemson, Current Head Coach Oklahoma.
Why I Admire Coach Dabo Swinney
I’ve always loved great coaches—but there’s something about Dabo Swinney that stands out. Maybe it’s that unmistakable southern drawl. Maybe it’s his contagious energy. But for me, it’s his commitment to developing the whole person—the kid, the player, the future leader—that pulled me in.
One of my favorite sports voices is Kirk Herbstreit. As a former quarterback at Ohio State, he bleeds scarlet and gray. So when his twin sons, Jake and Tye, were deciding where to walk on and play college football, everyone naturally assumed they’d follow in their dad’s footsteps and head to Columbus.
But they didn’t. They chose Clemson.
In an October 2020 interview with TigerNet, Herbstreit reflects:
Kirk Herbstreit on Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s influence on son Tye.
“I have so much respect for Dabo and his program and how he runs it—and the fact that he was a former walk-on himself. So I knew they would be treated the right way.”
I can’t imagine a more meaningful endorsement for a coach.
By the way, Tye went on to graduate from Clemson. Jake’s journey was cut short by health challenges, but the trust the Herbstreit family placed in Dabo speaks volumes.
When you listen to Dabo Swinney speak—or watch him coach—you can’t miss it. The authenticity. The enthusiasm. The passion—not just for football, but for his players and for living out his Christian faith.
That’s what makes him more than just a coach.
What We Can Take From Dabo Swinney.
Dabo Swinney’s life is a powerful example of how trials can shape character and purpose.
Though born in Birmingham, Alabama, Dabo grew up in Pelham, where he played football and baseball at Pelham High School. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Swinney, and together they have three sons, currently residing in Clemson, South Carolina.
Swinney faced significant challenges in his early life. After his parents divorced, Dabo and his mother faced serious financial struggles—at one point even experiencing homelessness, relying on friends for shelter.
Yet, in the middle of that adversity, Dabo continued to excel. He was an honor student and a standout athlete.
At just 16 years old, he made a life-changing decision to follow Christ, calling it "a game-changer... the foundation of my life."
Looking back on the challenges of his youth—divorce, poverty, instability—Dabo now sees how those difficult seasons gave him something greater than comfort:
“Coaching makes some of the things I've experienced in my life make sense to me. It allows me to use my life experiences to impact young people and to serve God through what I do. I'm very passionate about seeing young people graduate, mature, and develop.”
One remarkable trait that distinguishes exceptional individuals from the good is their capacity to view challenging experiences as blessings and to transform those experiences into opportunities for serving others. Swinney believes that his role in coaching and the chance to influence his players has clarified the purpose behind the hardships he faced in his youth.
In the Bible, James opens his letter with a powerful message :
"Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing."
Dabo Swinney’s story is living proof of this truth. He didn’t let his hardships define him. He used them to develop resilience, endurance, and empathy—qualities that make him more than just a coach, but a leader who shapes lives on and off the field.
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney
Leadership That Transforms: Dabo Swinney's Winning Formula
In a powerful interview with Jesse Cole, the visionary founder of the Savannah Bananas, Coach Dabo Swinney offered a masterclass on leadership, player development, and building a winning culture. You can watch the full interview for deeper insights, but here are some key takeaways from that conversation:
Purpose Over Outcome
Coach Swinney leads Clemson football with a purpose-driven and relationship-centered approach. His program isn’t swayed by public opinion, expectations, or results alone. Despite changing rules and evolving pressures, his focus on developing young men—on and off the field—has never wavered.
Learning by Doing
Swinney describes himself as a lifelong learner who grows through listening, observing, trying, failing, and adjusting. Using baseball examples like Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson, he reminds us that success is built on persistence—not perfection. Real growth happens when we take action, learn from failure, and keep moving forward.
Personalized Player Development
At Clemson, every player meets individually with coaches to define their personal goals—whether it’s making the travel squad, earning a starting spot, or preparing for the NFL. Swinney emphasizes that true progress comes not from writing goals on paper, but from building the daily habits and commitments required to achieve them. Players are also challenged to tie personal ambition to team success.
Embracing the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Criticism is part of the territory. Swinney teaches his players that the only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing at all. Borrowing a phrase from military culture, he urges them to “embrace the suck”—to push through discomfort, knowing that the work, not the applause, is what leads to lasting success. His analogy of sour patch candy is perfect: “You’ve got to get through the sour to enjoy the sweet.”
Building Connection Through Tradition
Swinney introduced a powerful pregame tradition where players walk through thousands of fans on game day. This ritual isn’t just for show—it’s designed to remind players who they represent and to build authentic connection with the Clemson community.
Setting and Living the Standard
Referencing Bill Walsh’s "The Score Takes Care of Itself," Swinney emphasizes that greatness starts long before the spotlight ever hits. True champions behave like champions in the small, unseen moments. By holding every player, coach, and staff member to the highest standard, he builds a culture where success becomes inevitable—not accidental.
Final Thought / Leadership Challenge
Dabo Swinney’s story is more than a coaching success—it’s a blueprint for leadership in any arena of life. Whether you lead a business, a team, a classroom, or your family, the same principles apply:
Stay purpose-driven.
Keep learning by doing.
Build meaningful connections.
Set high standards—and live by them.
Embrace the process, not just the outcome.
Here’s the challenge:
What’s your purpose?
What’s your standard?
Who are you building up along the way?
Take one small step today to lead with greater purpose and to serve the people around you better than you did yesterday. Because as Coach Swinney reminds us—champions are made long before the confetti falls.
Until Next Time | Expect to Win!
JIM WEBB
On a Journey - Chasing Better!
#xp2win #ChasingBetter
