ESPN host Paul Finebaum joined First Take on Thursday to address the uncertain future of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. He doubled down on remarks he made earlier in the week that “it’s over” for Swinney at Clemson.
Finebaum clarified that his comments were not meant as personal criticism, but rather a warning to a coach whose stature in the sport is undeniable.
“I don’t want to see Dabo Swinney, a Hall of Fame coach, end his career five years from now looking like Mike Gundy did on Tuesday afternoon, being pushed out the door after an amazing career,” Finebaum said. He suggested that Swinney should either pursue another program or transition into television, like Nick Saban did. This needs to come before Clemson’s struggles begin to tarnish his reputation.
Stephen A. Smith pressed Finebaum on Swinney’s defensive comments this season, in which the coach has repeatedly reminded fans of his past success. Finebaum dropped one of his realist statements.
“Entitlement only goes so far when you’ve been successful," Finebaum said. "College football fans get very weary, and I think they are weary of him.”
Finebaum’s concern is that Swinney is close to undermining his legacy. “He’s close to becoming a punchline, and I think that would be sad when you consider what he’s accomplished,” he said. Just weeks ago, Clemson looked like a national contender. But those days are long gone now. Swinney needs a quick turnaround.
“It has to be put on him. For whatever reason, it hasn’t connected, and therefore, he needs to start thinking about leaving before he ruins a brilliant Hall of Fame career.”
If Swinney’s downturn continues unchecked, the exit could be both sudden and unceremonious, like Gundy's was earlier this week.
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