Many might think of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s as one of the state of Alabama's favored sons, but Swinney sees himself as more of a stepbrother.
Swinney, a Pelham native and Alabama graduate, is now the highest-paid coach in college football at an average of $9.3 million per year through the 2028 season. The new contract was written with an Alabama clause, a steeper financial penalty if Swinney leaves early for the top job at Alabama.
Swinney’s buyout is more if he leaves Clemson for Alabama than if he leaves Clemson for any other school.