Dabo Swinney apologizes for joke he made after Miami loss
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney after the 14-8 win over Georgia Tech in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021. Credit: Ken Ruinard / staff via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Dabo Swinney received some backlash for a joke he made after Clemson lost to Miami on Saturday, and the coach has since issued an apology.
Following Clemson’s 28-20 loss to Miami in double-overtime, Swinney was asked if his program utilizes a sports psychiatrist to help players and coaches deal with disappointment. Swinney laughed and said Clemson has one “but he’s probably on suicide watch right now.”
Video of this postgame quote from #Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney:@ClemsonSports https://t.co/C3097GdAbj pic.twitter.com/51Etwn9GPj
— Luke Winstel (@lukewinstel) October 22, 2023
A lot of people were unhappy with Swinney’s remark. On Sunday, the two-time national champion apologized for the joke.
“That was such a poor attempt at humor on my part, and just a really bad choice of words in a bad moment and certainly not something I should say,” Swinney said, via Jon Blau of the Charleston Post and Courier. “We are very deliberate in what we do around here in prioritizing mental health for our (student-athletes). Apologize for (the joke), for sure.”
Clemson fell to 4-3 on the season with the loss. The Tigers entered the season ranked No. 10 in the nation, so their fans have once again been disappointed.
Swinney recently said he feels the expectations for Clemson have gotten a bit out of control. The team enjoyed such an incredible sustained run of success a few years ago that he feels fans are unhappy if the Tigers do not go undefeated. The frustration appears to be mutual, as fans were not pleased with some comments Swinney made after a loss earlier this year.
