Dabo Swinney Stands by His Stock Call on Clemson Football: "Need to Buy Some More"

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s message was loud and clear a year ago when the Tigers were at a crossroads. After starting 4-4 in the 2023 season and facing heavy criticism, Swinney offered a vote of confidence in his program following Clemson’s pivotal 31-23 win over then-No. 15 Notre Dame.

"I know we are down, and a lot of people are throwing dirt on us, but if Clemson’s a stock, you better buy all you freakin' can buy—right now," Swinney declared. Since that moment, Clemson has gone 11-1, shaking off early struggles and once again climbing into the national conversation.

Asked about those comments and the subsequent turnaround this week, Swinney remained as steadfast as ever—but not in a self-congratulatory way.

"Oh, no. I mean, not really," Swinney responded when asked if there was any satisfaction in seeing his prediction come true. "That’s just what I believe. I’m not out to prove anything. That's just my heart and what I believe."

The Tigers’ resurgence, particularly after their season-opening stumble against No. 1 Georgia in 2024, has been built on the foundation Swinney emphasized last year—a belief in his team’s character and potential. He pointed back to that emotional Notre Dame game as the turning point.

"I just think we have a great group of young men, and that goes back to that Notre Dame game. It was a tough game, a tough week. To see the heart of our team in that moment and how that really propelled us," Swinney said. "I could see the growth coming in those guys. I mean, I could see it. I could see our quarterback getting better. I could see a lot of good things in a lot of areas that not everybody else sees. I just really felt like we’ve got a chance to be a really good team at that point."

That belief was validated, as Clemson not only closed the 2023 season strong but has carried that momentum into 2024. Outside of a disappointing second half against Georgia, Swinney’s squad has looked every bit like the program fans have grown accustomed to over the last decade.

"We finished well, and we’ve carried it over into this year. I think we’ve got a chance to be really good the next couple of years, honestly," Swinney said, highlighting the young talent on his roster. "The way our roster’s built, we’ve got a really, really good group."

The Tigers’ head coach, who has built one of the most consistent programs in college football over the past 16 years, emphasized that the focus remains on finishing strong in 2024, but he couldn't resist a quick nod to his earlier statement.

"Our focus right now is to just continue to finish, but I would say that any year. I mean, if you look at my 16 years, we’ve been pretty consistent—especially the last 13 years. So we’re very, very consistent if we’re anything," Swinney said. Then, knowing his own expectations, he added: "Need to buy some more."

For Swinney, Clemson’s recent success wasn’t just about proving doubters wrong; it was about staying true to his vision for the program—and keeping Clemson in the thick of the playoff picture for years to come.

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