Column: Alabama grad Dabo Swinney is turning the Tide at Clemson
Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney talks to quarterback Deshaun Watson after winning the College Football Playoff national championship game over Alabama, 35-31.
Reporting from Tampa — Alabama was taken down by one of its own.
The new king of college football was born and reared in Alabama. He dreamed of playing for Alabama. He lived out that dream with Alabama.
Alabama was where Dabo Swinney developed his character, fortified his resolve and figured out how to win as an underdog. What he learned there was embodied by his team Monday night in a 35-31 come-from-behind victory over his alma mater.
A national champion as a player at Alabama, he was now a national champion as a coach at Clemson.
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Swinney cried as confetti fell around him. The tears were soon replaced by a smile and he rocked the national championship trophy as if it were a baby.
“Eight years ago, my goal was to put Clemson back on the top,” he said. “And tonight, that’s a reality.”
This was a team built in his image. Clemson trailed after the opening quarter for the first time this season but didn’t panic. The Tigers gave up almost as many rushing yards in the first half as they did in all of the national championship game last year, but that only made them more determined. They were down until the final second of the game but found a way to triumph.
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The groundwork for the victory was set over a lifetime in Alabama.
Born in Birmingham, Swinney inherited his passion for Alabama football from his father. He used to watch the “Bear Bryant Show” on television and listened to Alabama games on the radio. He said he would “fight you in school if you talked bad about them.” He had a troubled childhood because of his family’s financial problems and his father’s alcoholism, but that didn’t prevent him from landing a place on Alabama’s team as a walk-on receiver.
“I always tell everyone, I was a crawl-on,” Swinney joked. “I was one notch below a walk-on.”
He was also determined.
“It was surreal for me to finally be in the room and to be introduced to the team,” he said. “So at the time I just wanted to be on the team, and then it was I just wanted to gain some respect. Then I wanted them to learn my name. Then it was, OK, I want to play. Then I want to get a scholarship.”
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He did. He lettered three times for the Crimson Tide. And in 1992, he was part of an Alabama team that upset Miami to win the national championship.
“It’s not like now, they win it like every year or every other year with Coach [Nick] Saban,” Swinney said. “It had been a long time since Alabama had won a national championship.”
Swinney caught only seven passes over three seasons, but now has the distinction of being only the second national champion coach to also have won a national championship as a player. The first was Bud Wilkinson, who won a national championship as a player with Minnesota in 1936 and coached Oklahoma to three titles in the 1950s.
“He’s an Alabama person,” Saban said.
His coaching career started at Alabama, too, under Gene Stallings. But he was fired in 2004, along with the rest of then-coach Mike DuBose’s staff.
“I wasn’t happy to leave,” Swinney said. “I was mad at the time. But God had a plan for me. He knew what I needed.”
His position coach at Alabama, Terry Bowden, offered him a place on his staff at Clemson. Swinney replaced Bowden as the team’s head coach in 2008.
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Swinney has built a miniature version of Alabama, his program recording 10 or more wins in each of the last six seasons. He reached the national championship game last year, only to fall short in a classic game against the Crimson Tide.
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Clemson players celebrate after defeating Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national championship game. (Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley celebrates afterthe Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 35-31, to win the College Football Playoff national championship game. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
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Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with linebacker Ben Boulware during the award ceremony after the Tigers defeated Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national title game.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson players celebrate during the award ceremony after defeating Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national championship game. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware kisses the championship trophy during the College Football Playoff award ceremony.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney talks to quarterback Deshaun Watson after winning the College Football Playoff national championship game over Alabama, 35-31. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is congratulated by Alabama Coach Nick Saban after the Tigers’ 35-31 victory over the Crimson Tide.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Clemson player celebrate along the sideline after quarterback Deshaun Watson (not pictured) threw a two-yard touchdown pass with one second left to receiver Hunter Renfrow (not pictured).
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson celebrates after throwing a two-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow for the winning touchdown in the College Football Playoff title game.
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow celebrates with teammate Jordan Leggett (16) after catching the game-winning touchdown pass against Alabama.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow catches a two-yard touchdown pass against Alabama’s Tony Brown during the final seconds of the fourth quarter to give the Tigers a 35-31 lead.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a 30-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter.
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts breaks into the clear for a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 31-28 lead over Clemson during the fourth quarter.
(Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (9) plunges for a one-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter to give the Tigers their first lead over Alabama, 28-24.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson leaps over Alabama defensive back Ronnie Harrison to get to the one-yard line during the fourth quarter.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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Clemson receiver Mike Williams catches a pass in front of Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey during the fourth quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Clemson receiver Mike Williams (7) celebrates with tight end Jordan Leggett (16) after scoring a four-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Clemson receiver Mike Williams makes a four-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter to cut Alabama’s lead to 24-21.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Alabama tight end O.J. Howard runs free down the left sideline on a 68-yard scoring pass play during the third quarter to give the Crimson Tide a 24-14 lead.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is sent flying by a hit from Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, left, during the third quarter.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster (10) sends Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson spinning into the air with a big hit during the third quarter. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is congratulated by teammate Deon Cain (8) after catching a 24-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter.
(Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow breaks away from two Alabama defender on a 24-yard scoring pass play during the third quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware breaks up a pass intended for Alabama receiver ArDarius Stewart during the third quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press)
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Alabama kicker Adam Griffith watches his 27-yard field goal that gave the Crimson Tide a 17-14 lead in the third quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson recovers a fumble he forced by stripping the ball from Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (not pictured) during the third quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) strips the ball from Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (9) during the third quarter.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates with teammate Christian Wilkins (42) after rushing for an eight-yard touchdown during the second quarter.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson gets into the end zone on an eight-yard run during the College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 9
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson slips down the sideline past an Alabama defender for an eight-yard scoring run durng the second quarter.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough crosses the goal line for a 37-yard touchdown run against Clemson during the second quarter.
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough eludes Clemson safety VAn Smith (23) to break free for a 37-yard touchdown run during the second quarter.
(Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts picks up yardage against the Clemson defense during the second quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware celebrates with a teammate after stopping Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough for no gain during the second quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley tip-toes down the sideline after getting hit by Clemson defenders during the second quarter.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts prepares to pass against Clemson during the first quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Alabama defensive back Ronnie Harrison pursues Clemson running back Wayne Gallman during the first quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson throws to the flat against Alabama during the first quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney argues a call during the first quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson safety Tanner Muse partially blocks the punt of Alabama’s JK Scott during the first quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press)
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Clemson running back Wayne Gallman is brought down by Alabama defensive back Tony Brown (left) during a fourth-down run that came up short in the first quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press)
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Alabama defensive back Anthony Averett brings down Clemson receiver Mike Williams after a reception during the first quarter.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne celebrates after tackling quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first quarter.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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Alabama defensive linemen Da’Ron Payne (94) and Jonathan Allen (93) tackle Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first quarter Monday. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Alabama Coach Nick Saban congratulates Bo Scarbrough after his touchdown run during the first quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough is congratulated by teammates ArDarius Stewart (13) and Hale Hentges (84) after scoring on a 25-yard run during the first quarter Monday. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough beats the Clemson defense for a 25-yard touchdown run during the first quarter.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Swinney was right. To claim the championship, Clemson had to defeat Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State and Alabama — the programs that had combined to win the previous seven titles.
Swinney is a vocal admirer of Saban, who had won four of the previous seven national championships. But he couldn’t be any more different.
Saban is serious.
Swinney is constantly smiling. He tells long stories. He doesn’t hide his emotions.
“He cares about the heart,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said.
His program boasts one of the highest graduation rates in the country.
Swinney happened to be on the same dinner cruise with Saban last spring.
“I told him back in March we’d see each other again in Tampa,” Swinney said.
When Clemson walked into a Tampa arena for media day earlier in the week accompanied by a over-the-top highlight video and a U2 soundtrack, offensive lineman Jay Guillermo joked that Swinney must have chosen the music.
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He said he told his players before the game that love would determine the game.
Love?
“We were going to win it because we were going to love each other,” he said. “I don’t know how we’re going to win it, but we’re going to win it.”
Dylan Hernández is a sports columnist with the Los Angeles Times. Before that, he was the Dodgers beat writer. Hernandez grew up in South Pasadena and graduated from UCLA in 2002, after which he worked at the San Jose Mercury News for five years.
