Swinney, an evangelical Christian, is reluctant to elaborate with reporters about his faith; he declined an interview request for this story. But in the moments after Clemson’s 44-16 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game Jan. 7, he made a bold statement in front of a global audience.
“We beat Notre Dame and Alabama. We left no doubt. And we walk off this field tonight as the first 15-0 team in college football history,” he said. “All the credit, all the glory, goes to the good Lord.”
Recruiting new talent is perpetually on the minds of college football coaches, and Swinney, who will lead Clemson against Ohio State in the Dec. 28 Fiesta Bowl, has struck a chord with prospects who come from strong Christian backgrounds.
Players insist Swinney doesn’t force his views on others, but it’s clear faith is imbued in the program.
The results are the envy of the sport: five straight College Football Playoff appearances, two of the last three national titles, 28 consecutive wins.
“Only God can do this,” Swinney said Jan. 7 inside Levi’s Stadium, purple and orange confetti clumping on his pullover. “That’s a fact. People may think I’m crazy or quacky, or whatever.
“But only God can orchestrate this.”
The Post and Courier spoke to 13 current and incoming @ClemsonFB players for this story.
All attributed their college decision in large part to Swinney’s transparency about his faith. https://t.co/0xuygpvqBY
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) December 21, 2019