ESPN's Finebaum Says Clemson's Dabo Swinney Lost Control Amid 2025 Struggles

The Clemson Tigers, once seen as national championship contenders for the 2025 season, have struggled significantly, holding a 3-4 record after a recent 35-24 loss to SMU. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum has been highly critical of head coach Dabo Swinney, asserting that Swinney has "really lost control of the program" and suggesting that it may be time for him to find an exit strategy despite his past successes, including two national championships. Finebaum noted that the 2024 season's College Football Playoff appearance was an outlier amid a downward trend, highlighting Clemson's inability to maintain its previous dominance especially after losing key games and players like Cade Klubnik. Swinney has defended his tenure, promising more championships in the future, but Finebaum and other ESPN analysts express skepticism about Clemson's ability to return to national title contention under his leadership. The criticism reflects broader concerns about Swinney's adjustment to recent changes in college football dynamics, such as NIL and the transfer portal, which have affected Clemson's competitiveness. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Swinney's era at Clemson is likely coming to an end, with calls for a strategic transition from the long-time coach.