Clemson touches down in "The Big Easy" ahead of College Football Playoff Semifinal

The No. 1 Clemson Tigers touched down in "The Big Easy" earlier today and were welcomed by a traditional New Orleans' jazz band.

Swinney opened up his remarks stating that it was, “Really a blessing to be here. It's an honor to be at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. That's for sure. This is something that we set out to do. We actually talked about it this spring, this being kind of something to dream about. 59 years since Clemson has been to the Sugar Bowl to have an opportunity to be here and represent Clemson, Dan (Radakovich), President Clements, our administration, and all of our fans is a great pleasure." 

Swinney noted that he thought about 95% of the team had never been to New Orleans.

"It's a huge privilege. Proud of our team and the season we've had. Tremendous effort on their part all year long to do what they need to do to get this point. We are excited to be here and know it will be a great week. This will be a dandy, that's for sure," Swinney remarked.

Asked about how often he would think back to 25 years on his journey Swinney commented on some of the similarities.

“Oh man, I already had a ton. When you’re staying at the same hotel, we’re practicing at the same site. It’s just funny how my mom gave me a picture when I was home over Christmas; she gave me a picture. I was in the street tap dancing with a tap dancer, and a bunch of people gathered around when I was 10," Swinney recalled. "She pulled out one of those little….you don’t have those type of pictures anymore. It was something out of a box. I actually came over with a friend on my baseball team when I was 10 for the Alabama/Arkansas Sugar Bowl. I guess it was the ’80 Sugar Bowl, ’79 season, I think. So that was my first time to ever experience anything like that and came back here ten years later as a player at Alabama and then as a freshman against Miami in ’89 and again in ’92 when we won it all. But, I’m looking forward to it…looking forward to beignets! That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Asked about how he made a point about enjoying the ride and with so much of the team not having been in New Orleans, is there more significance to that? And is there a contrast to the way you approach this compared to Alabama?

“I don’t know how they approach it. So I don’t know how to make a contrast. I just know what we do. And we work really hard. We prepare…we’ve been preparing. We’ve practiced very well, great meetings. We practiced today, earlier…meetings today. And kind of had our Monday practice today…everyone traveled back yesterday, enjoyed a good break, like I said, kind of a mental Monday for us…get your mind right, good meetings, good practice, and I kind of like to do it that way. Then we get here, and just kind of get settled in and get ready for Tuesday-type practice tomorrow."

"You know, I want our guys to enjoy it, everywhere we go, all this…Bowl trips…you know, we try to enjoy the journey. That’s what it’s all about to me. I mean, it’ll be a great moment Monday night, or whatever night it is. What night do we play? Does anybody know? Whatever the first is, it’ll be a great moment. It’s really the journey that I always try to enjoy…just enjoy the day. Enjoy practices. Just enjoy being with these guys."

"This could be the last week to be with this team. Hopefully, we can earn one more bus ride and pregame meal and all that stuff but you have to earn that. That’s what it comes down to. But I want them to enjoy it, have some fun, and look back on their time. We always say fun is in the winning; ultimately it comes down to that. You have to win the game. But I don’t’ think you have to be miserable to do that in the process. It’ll be a great week, looking forward it.”

Asked how much he's enjoyed these past two games with Alabama? 

“Well, I enjoyed it a lot last year. Last year was great…it was wonderful.  One of the best moments of my life, and it stunk the year before. Like I said, the fun is in the winning, and I don’t enjoy losing…ever.

Swinney continued, "It’s been great to compete against Alabama. I think for us, as we tried to grow our program the last eight years…nine years I think, one of the things that was a goal of mine nine years ago was to build a program that can be consistent and to build a program that can beat the best and Alabama has been the best.”