Paul Finebaum offers one-word verdict on Dabo Swinney's future

Jeff Hauser

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Paul Finebaum offers one-word verdict on Dabo Swinney's future image

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum had a single word for Dabo Swinney.

“Grandpa" was his way to describe the Clemson Tigers coach. Finebaum delivered the remark while handing out one-word assessments of college football’s coaching situations following the end of the 2025 regular season. 

While Finebaum largely praised several new hires around the SEC during a busy carousel year, his sharpest criticism was reserved for established coaches he believes have failed to adapt. Swinney topped that list.

At 56, Swinney is hardly among the sport’s oldest coaches. But Finebaum’s critique was not about age as much as philosophy. He has repeatedly questioned Swinney’s resistance to fully embracing the transfer portal and name, image and likeness opportunities, areas where Clemson has lagged behind many of its opponents. 

“I think it’s over at Clemson,” Finebaum said earlier this season after the Tigers opened 1-3. “Let’s quit trying to sugarcoat it. Sometimes it’s very difficult to get it back when you’ve lost it, and he lost it badly."

Clemson’s season was scrapped after a bad start, and they rebounded with four straight wins to earn a trip to the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. The Tigers will face Penn State in a matchup of teams that opened the year ranked No. 4 and No. 1, respectively, in the preseason AP Poll.

However, Finebaum has continued to speculate publicly about Swinney’s future, suggesting the two-time national championship coach would be highly sought after in television or by programs with vacancies.

Finebaum’s one-word verdict aside, Swinney is set to run it back again at Clemson next fall.

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Contributing Writer