Dabo Swinney addresses Kelly Bryant's transfer: 'I wish him nothing but the best'

Dabo Swinney said Monday was “a bad day to be the head coach” when he had to have a sit-down conversation with Kelly Bryant to tell him he wasn’t going to start at quarterback this week.

The head coach said it was an emotional conversation and they talked about “a lot of things.” Bryant got the night off Monday after talking to Swinney to collect his thoughts. The hope was for the senior quarterback to come back, and continue to compete.

But Tuesday was just another bad day to be the head football coach, if not worse

Bryant told the coaching staff Tuesday he has decided to leave the program after not being at practice for the second consecutive day.

On the weekly ACC teleconference, Swinney addressed Bryant’s announcement.

"Obviously, saddened and disappointed that he's chosen to leave the team,” Swinney said. “I really have absolutely nothing bad that I can say about Kelly Bryant. He’s one of the best young people I have ever been around.

“Even though I don’t think this is a great decision, I certainly respect it. It doesn’t change anything that I feel for Kelly. I love him, care about him; I wish him nothing but the best... We appreciate everything that Kelly gave to this program while he was here."

Bryant, a redshirt senior, was 16-2 as a starter, undefeated at home, MVP of the 2017 ACC championship, and led Clemson to a third consecutive Playoff berth.

He had started every game for Clemson so far in 2018 but split time with freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Swinney said Tuesday that the decision to start Lawrence over Bryant this week against Syracuse was not a knock on Bryant's play, but merely a reward for Lawrence’s productivity.

In 2018 so far, Lawrence has led 24 drives that resulted in 97 points. Bryant led 21 drives resulting in 52 points.

Bryant told the Greenville News in a report released Wednesday morning that he felt the decision to go with Lawrence this week was “a slap in the face” and that he didn’t “get a fair shot.”

Swinney respected Bryant’s opinion, but disagreed.

“Absolutely, I think we've given him a fair shot,” Swinney said. “I’ve always tried to be as open, as honest, and as transparent as possible throughout the process - as we are with all of our players.”

The head coach began talking about talented Clemson freshman who he had seen beat out veterans. Sammy Watkins, Dexter Lawrence, and Deshaun Watson, who Bryant took over for after he left for the NFL, were mentioned.

“My job is to do what is best for our program and be responsible for everybody on this team. It just kind of comes with the territory. It’s unfortunate. He’s entitled to his opinion and you have to respect that. At the end of the day, you do what you believe is right.

“I’ve been as honest, open, and transparent as possible. He’s one of the best young people I’ve been around.”

With the new redshirt rule, Bryant can sit out for the rest of the year and regain a year of eligibility since he’s played in no more than four games. Since he would be a graduate transfer, he’ll be able to play immediately in 2019.

Swinney wanted Bryant to stay, be a part of the team, and continue to compete. But Bryant - much like Swinney did for the best of the team - made a decision that he felt was best for him.

“I could have started him this week, which would have limited his options, but that's not how we operate,” Swinney added. “That’s not who we are… I love Kelly, I wish him all the best and I appreciate everything he has done for this university, this team.”

Bryant has had a stranglehold on Clemson’s locker room. As Swinney said Tuesday, “there’s no better leader.” You have to wonder how this news has affected the team this week, especially heading into a matchup with undefeated Syracuse - a team that beat Clemson a year ago.

“I don’t think this decision will affect us at all,” Swinney continued. “These players understand competition. Players play, coaches coach, you don’t always agree with the decisions and things like that, but you get back to work. You take what you got and make the best of it and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

This is the fourth quarterback to transfer from Clemson since January. Trevor Lawrence is now the team’s starter and Chase Brice will be the backup.

Third-string? Hunter Renfrow.

It’s been a whirlwind of a week so far for Swinney and his staff, but they have to focus on the task at hand and put this behind them.

It hasn’t been an easy week to be the head coach, but that’s what comes with the territory.

“At the end of the day, this is not middle school,” Swinney added. “There’s tough decisions that have to be made at this level and you have to do what is best for the team.”