Inside Clemson’s Leadership Council: Swinney’s Secret Weapon in a Season of Adversity

In a season where Clemson has struggled to find its footing on the field, Dabo Swinney insists the foundation of the program has never been stronger. He points not to schemes or play calls as his greatest source of optimism, but to the voices of his players themselves.

That optimism comes from a group most Tiger fans never see: the leadership council and a parallel structure Swinney calls “the huddle.” These forums—designed to amplify players’ perspectives and support staff input—have become vital for navigating what Swinney calls the “valley of disappointment” in 2025.

Swinney described his pride in the way players have responded privately, behind closed doors, when asked to share their hearts and vision for the program.

“Not surprised, but very impressed—especially their words. We have what we call the council. If y’all could hear these guys articulate—no cameras, not worried about social media or clickbait—these are smart young men. I told the staff: the council notes give me hope in our future.”

In Swinney’s telling, the council isn’t just a symbolic gathering of captains. It’s a mechanism for accountability, reflection, and leadership development that gives players ownership of the locker room.

One of the names Swinney volunteered was wide receiver Antonio Williams.

“A kid like Antonio Williams—he was kind of nonchalant and casual. He and I didn’t get along very well his freshman year—he’ll tell you that. To see who he is now as a man and leader, to see him stand up and speak—not surprised, but impressed.”

Williams’ growth illustrates what Swinney values in the process: not just production on Saturdays, but maturity and presence that ripple throughout the team.

Complementing the council is “the huddle,” a separate structure created nearly two decades ago to capture insights from everyone around the players who isn’t a coach. That includes equipment staff, trainers, academic advisors, and support personnel.

“We have what we call the huddle—everybody who touches our players and isn’t a coach: equipment, trainer, academics, support staff. Woody runs that. I’ve done it for 17 years. Staff meetings can get bogged down; you want to be efficient. Sometimes people aren’t comfortable saying something in front of a position coach. So we created the huddle years ago.”

The huddle meets on Tuesdays. Swinney doesn’t attend, but he reads the notes afterward and distills the important points for his staff.

“I get the huddle notes Tuesday nights after they meet Tuesday morning. Everybody can speak freely—I’m not in the huddle. I get the notes and then go through what the staff needs. They don’t need every little thing, but sometimes they need to hear it from me, and it hits different—like keeping the locker room clean. We’ve always been proactive and efficient.”

The huddle and council are intertwined: the huddle helps select council members, pulling leaders from multiple classes and perspectives, not just seniors.

“That group selects the council—different lens from video, academics, managers. I meet with the leadership group on Monday and Friday—senior leaders—and they select some juniors and sophomores. We’re very proactive with a lot of communication.”

For Swinney, these systems are part of why he insists the Clemson program is structurally as strong as it has ever been, even as the 2025 season has tested patience.

“That’s one reason our program has never been better—it’s doing what it’s supposed to do: driving consistency and fulfilling the purpose at a high level.”

While fans have focused on blown assignments, turnovers, and an unfamiliar spot in the standings, Swinney argued that the leadership council and huddle prove something deeper: that Clemson’s culture is working even when the wins aren’t.

“If y’all could hear these guys… it gives you hope.”

For him, that hope isn’t just about salvaging the season, but about shaping men who can process disappointment and lead through adversity.