FSU football: Ranking all top coaches in the ACC (2024)
By Kelvin Hunt
Dabo Swinney (Clemson) 170-43 overall, 103-23 ACC
Good old Dabo Swinney was in the No. 1 spot entering the 2023 season. The Clemson Tigers ruled the ACC with multiple conference titles and two national titles under Swinney. However, the Tigers failed to win the ACC and didn't win 10 games for the first time since the 2011 season. It was a period of transition for Swinney and the Tigers. They had a new quarterback and new offensive coordinator entering the 2023 season. It was only the second year for the defensive staff.
However, the Clemson team didn't look like the Clemson of old, and their high school recruiting wasn't at the level it used to be when Clemson dominated the ACC. Dabo Swinney refuses to use the transfer portal, recently stating the players in the portal are not good enough to play at Clemson. I'm sure the FSU staff would disagree with that statement since it's a large reason FSU closed the gap against them under Mike Norvell. Can Clemson reclaim the throne in 2024, is the game passing him by?