The Clemson Tigers are off to a 1-2 start to the 2025 college football season and are 0-1 in ACC play. Clemson has lost to the LSU Tigers and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this season.
The Tigers are preparing to face the Syracuse Orange this weekend. If Clemson loses again and falls to 1-3, questions about head coach Dabo Swinney's future are likely to follow. The veteran head coach may already be feeling some heat, however, as Swinney delivered an impassioned speech addressing perception of his program during his Tuesday afternoon’s press conference.
MORE: Would Clemson fire Dabo Swinney?
Dabo Swinney press conference
Dabo Swinney coming out swinging today pic.twitter.com/nNEffmlt2D
— Wyatt Fulton (@FultonW_) September 16, 2025
There is still plenty of time for Clemson to win another ACC title this season. The Tigers finished the regular season 9-3 and captured last year’s ACC crown against the SMU Mustangs. Fans are frustrated with Swinney because Clemson’s expectations extend beyond conference titles—national championships are the standard, and Swinney has two to his name.
This was supposed to be Clemson's best team in quite some time. If the Tigers miss the playoffs with a 7-5 or 8-4 record, some fans may want to see Swinney move on. If he left Clemson, high-profile programs would likely hire him immediately.
More: Dabo Swinney's buyout and contract details