FORT LAUDERDALE —
Dabo Swinney went to the athletic director’s office expecting a pep talk. He got a battlefield promotion. Tommy Bowden, who’d coached Clemson for 9 ½ seasons, had resigned under pressure that morning in October 2008. Swinney figured AD Terry Don Phillips would say, “Do the best you can and try to get the next guy to keep you.”
Instead Phillips said (according to Swinney): “I’ve watched you for 5 ½ years, and I think you’re ready for this job” – meaning interim head coach.
