Clemson, SC (Sportsbooks) - Dabo Swinney, who served as the interim head coach for Clemson's final six games of the 2008 season, was officially tabbed head coach of the program on Monday. Swinney was the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach before being elevated October 13 to head man after Tommy Bowden stepped down. The 39-year- old becomes the 25th head coach in school history. "I have had the opportunity to watch Dabo Swinney closely over the last six years both on and off the field," said athletic director Terry Don Phillips. "He is one of the bright young coaches in America. I was very impressed by the way the team responded to his leadership. We are proud to have him represent Clemson as our head football coach." Phillips added that the length of Swinney's contract will be for five years, but financial terms will not be disclosed until discussions with Clemson's board of trustees. Clemson finished the regular season at 7-5, the school's ninth straight winning season, and is bowl eligible. The school's last non-winning season was in 1999, Bowden's first year, when Clemson finished 6-6. The Tigers went 4-2 with Swinney at the helm, a span which included a 31-14 win over state rival South Carolina on Saturday as well as the program's first win over Boston College since 1958 back on November 1. Swinney, a 1993 graduate of Alabama who was a member of the Crimson Tide's 1992 national championship squad, had spent the previous five seasons as Clemson's receivers coach. |
