CLEMSON, S.C. (AP, Anderson Independent Mail) - Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is angry at those complaining about the second-ranked Tigers' latest dominant victory.
“I just want to win by one more point,” Swinney said Sunday afternoon during a teleconference previewing Saturday’s ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, North Carolina. “If that ever gets to where that’s not enough, then it’s time for me to move on somewhere else. I ain’t never going to apologize for a 21-point win over a state rival. Ever.”
Swinney said Sunday he was shown articles and reports critical of his team's play in a 56-35 victory over South Carolina on Saturday night which prompted a two-minute rant during Sunday's teleconference.
“I’ve been here 16 years, and for all those people out there who want to complain about five wins in a row and winning by three touchdowns, man, that’s shameful,” Swinney said. “That’s a lack of respect for our program and a lack of respect for the effort that these players and coaches put in. I hope you write that."
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“A senior class that’s won 52 games and we’ve got people complaining. Give me a break. If 12-0 ain’t good enough, then it’s time to seek other places. Make sure you get that.”
Swinney has guided Clemson to a 113-30 record in 10-plus seasons and won four ACC championships and one national title. The Tigers will play for a fourth consecutive ACC title on Saturday against Coastal Division champion Pitt.
Swinney called those dissatisfied with the win "shameful" and that it disrespected the work his coaches and players have put in to achieve a perfect record.
“I’m going to say it one more time: We’ve had eight 10-win seasons, we’re 12-0, third time in the history of this school we’ve won five state championships in a row, and when that’s not enough for some people, that’s sad. It’s sad,” Swinney said.
“This program’s never going to be that way. I’m not gonna stand for that. It’s too hard to win, too hard to win. These players work too hard. The goal is to win. Period. And you know, that’s just the way it is.
"I don’t ever want to be a program, ever, that doesn't’t appreciate winning. And when you win by three touchdowns in a state championship and you’ve got people who can’t appreciate that? Man, that’s really sad. Just look around college football. There’s a lot of places out there that would love to have the program that we have here, I can assure you of that.”
Clemson (12-0) will play Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game Saturday night.