Dabo Swinney Reveals Call With Nick Saban After Alabama Opening

Like many others, Clemson’s head football coach, Dabo Swinney, was linked to the Alabama coaching job following Nick Saban’s retirement in 2024, and Swinney's personal ties to the University made him seem like a top candidate to fill Saban's shoes.

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Swinney walked on to Alabama in 1989 as a wide receiver under Bill Curry. He spent the next three seasons playing for Gene Stallings. As a senior, he was a part of the Tide’s legendary 1992 national championship team, which had a perfect 13-0 record.

Following graduation, Swinney worked his way up the coaching ladder to earn a full-time coaching position on Alabama’s staff from 1996 to 2000.

Swinney sat down with ESPN’s Chris Low, where he recalled a conversation with Saban around the time Alabama’s athletic director, Greg Byrne, was searching for the Crimson Tide’s next head football coach.

In this conversation, Swinney clarified that Clemson was his home, but he still roots for his alma mater when they aren't playing against each other.

“Nick called me the next morning early, and we had a good conversation about a lot of things, but I’m where I’m supposed to be, and that’s the main thing,” Swinney said. “I mean, listen, I knew that question would always be there. And again, I think they hired a great coach, and man, I love Alabama and always have, always will, and will always pull for Alabama, except for when we play. But after 23 years, this is home.”

Alabama found its replacement for the legendary head coach by hiring Kalen DeBoer, who previously coached at Washington. During his tenure there, he led the Huskies to a College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship appearance, where they faced Michigan and lost 34-13. DeBoer is entering his second season with the Tide and is seeking a national title run.

Swinney officially took over the job at Clemson in 2009 after being the interim head coach during the 2008 season, following former head coach Tommy Bowden’s resignation six games into the season. Swinney has led the Tigers to two national championship victories and nine ACC titles, with the former Alabama walk-on wide receiver winning both national championships against Saban and the Crimson Tide.

After Clemson’s first-round exit in the CFP last season against Texas, Swinney and the Tigers are geared up for a run at a national championship with Clemson returning 16 starters from last season, including Kade Klubnik, who is going into his senior season after throwing for over 3,600 yards in his junior campaign.

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