Many years from now, when Dabo Swinney has finally had enough of coaching, they will talk about this night. They will talk about the time the sport’s greatest soundbite uncorked a historic beatdown on one of the greatest dynasties and coaches in college football—a role Alabama has never truly had to embrace under Nick Saban. They will talk about the way Swinney tied his future to a true freshman quarterback way back during the first month of season, and how the decision paid off many months later.
They will talk about Swinney, who doesn’t look or sound like most football CEOs.