CLEMSON, S.C. — When Clemson athletics director Graham Neff asked for Dabo Swinney's input on potentially moving the game with the arch-rival Gamecocks up one day to a Friday night broadcast in prime time, Swinney made it clear where he stood.
The 22-year resident of Clemson who is entering his 16th season as the head football coach told Neff the game needs to stay on Saturday.
Swinney says moving the annual rivalry showdown to the Friday afternoon would not be in the best interest of the Clemson program.
"I'm happy to go do it in Columbia if that's what they want to do, but I was against it because I don't think it's what's best for Clemson," Swinney said. "Sometimes we forget to do what's best for Clemson, and I don't think it's what's best for this town."
Swinney said the negative impact of moving the game to Friday would include asking out-of-town fans to potentially alter travel plans to where they would have to be on the road on Thanksgiving Day.
The date change would also mean students would have to return to campus a day earlier than normal.
Local businesses in Clemson would see a likely drop in revenue with the game moved to Friday which Swinney cited as a factor along with recruiting. A Friday night game in Death Valley would conflict with high school football playoffs and any prospects who are playing that night would miss out on a key presentation in the recruiting process by the Clemson coaching staff.