After Clemson’s season-ending loss in the College Football Playoff (CFP), there has been significant debate about the future of the Tigers football program. Once a dominant force in college football, Clemson’s 2023 season marked the culmination of a period of uncertainty. Despite being led by one of the most successful coaches in recent history, Dabo Swinney, the Tigers found themselves on the outside looking in at the CFP and facing tough questions about their program’s trajectory.
This article will delve into what happens next for the Clemson Tigers, analyzing their current state, challenges, and the potential steps the program must take to regain its status as one of the elite programs in college football.
The End of an Era?
Clemson’s loss in the CFP was a harsh reminder that the college football landscape is always shifting. For many years, Clemson was a model of consistency. Under head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers won two national championships (2016 and 2018) and regularly made the CFP, dominating the ACC and establishing a reputation for excellence on both sides of the ball.
However, the 2023 season exposed some vulnerabilities within the Clemson program. The team finished with a 10-3 record, an impressive mark by most standards but not enough to secure a spot in the CFP. It was a season where Clemson’s offense struggled to keep pace with the high-flying, high-scoring offenses of other top programs, while defensively, the Tigers were not as overwhelming as in previous years.
The most glaring issue was Clemson’s inability to find consistent play at the quarterback position. While DJ Uiagalelei, the former starter, showed flashes of brilliance, he struggled with inconsistency, leading to a quarterback carousel. In addition, while there was talent at key positions, there was a noticeable lack of elite skill players who could take over games and compete with the nation’s top teams.
With their loss in the CFP, questions about Clemson’s future, especially regarding Swinney’s leadership, have started to surface. Is this the end of Clemson’s dominant run, or is it merely a temporary setback?
The Key Challenges
1. Quarterback Play
One of the most pressing issues for Clemson is its quarterback play. For much of Swinney’s tenure, the Tigers have been blessed with top-tier quarterbacks, such as Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence, who were able to lead the team to national titles. But the transition to a new era of quarterbacks has been a bit bumpy.
DJ Uiagalelei, once considered the heir apparent to Lawrence, never quite lived up to expectations. In 2023, despite some bright spots, his struggles led to a shift at quarterback. Swinney’s decision to stick with Uiagalelei for extended periods despite his inconsistencies raised questions about the program’s ability to develop elite quarterbacks in the post-Lawrence era.
Moving forward, the Tigers need to find stability and consistency at quarterback. This could come in the form of a highly touted recruit or through continued development of the young quarterbacks on the roster. If Clemson can land a high-caliber signal-caller or successfully nurture their existing talent, they will regain their offensive potency.
2. Recruiting
Clemson’s recruiting has always been a strength, but in recent years, they have faced stiffer competition for elite talent, particularly at the skill positions. In the past, Swinney’s program benefited from an almost flawless recruiting operation that brought in high-level players, particularly on defense, but now they are seeing other schools like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and even SEC programs pull in top-tier talent.
To remain competitive at the highest level, Clemson will need to reassert itself as a recruiting powerhouse. This involves strengthening relationships with top high school recruits, particularly in the southeast, and enhancing their national recruiting strategy. Swinney has prided himself on building strong relationships with players, which has led to some incredible success in the past, but it’s clear that they will need to ramp up their efforts in order to keep pace with the elite programs of college football.
3. Offensive System
Clemson’s offensive system has been another area of scrutiny. Over the years, the Tigers have built their offense around a high-powered, vertical passing game. However, with the loss of star quarterbacks like Lawrence and Watson, the Tigers have struggled to adjust to a new identity.
Swinney’s commitment to his system, which has long relied on power running and a balanced attack, has sometimes been at odds with the evolving college football landscape, where many teams are increasingly prioritizing up-tempo, pass-heavy offenses. Swinney has shown a reluctance to fully embrace a spread-style offense, which has put his team at a disadvantage against more dynamic, pass-oriented teams.
Clemson will need to make adjustments offensively, either through changing their philosophy or adapting to the modern game. This could mean bringing in new offensive coordinators or rethinking their approach to recruiting skill players.
4. Coaching and Staff Changes
Swinney’s position as head coach remains strong, but there are calls for change among the Tigers’ coaching staff. The offensive struggles this season led many to question whether Swinney needs to make adjustments to his coaching staff, particularly at the offensive coordinator position. While Swinney’s decision to keep his assistants in place for long periods has led to continuity, it may also have led to stagnation.
Bringing in new voices, especially in offensive roles, could be a necessary move to reinvigorate the program. However, such changes would have to be handled carefully to avoid disrupting the culture Swinney has worked so hard to build. The Tigers’ culture has been a defining strength under Swinney, so balancing innovation with tradition will be key.
The Path Forward: What Needs to Happen?
1. Rebuild the Quarterback Room
First and foremost, Clemson must find a long-term solution at quarterback. Whether it’s through recruiting or internal development, Swinney and his staff need to identify and develop a quarterback who can lead the Tigers back to national prominence. The success of the program in recent years has been directly tied to the play of elite quarterbacks, and without one, Clemson’s chances of returning to the CFP are limited.
2. Recruitment of Elite Playmakers
In addition to the quarterback position, Clemson will need to recruit top-tier playmakers at the skill positions. Over the past few seasons, the Tigers have struggled to match up with teams like Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia in terms of dynamic offensive weapons. Getting elite receivers and running backs is essential if Clemson is going to return to its former heights.
3. Adapting to Modern Offense
Clemson’s offense must evolve to keep pace with the rest of college football. This might mean adopting more modern, up-tempo systems, focusing on quick passes and spreading the field. While Swinney has been hesitant to fully embrace the new wave of offensive strategies, doing so could allow Clemson to compete with teams that have redefined what a successful offense looks like in college football.
4. Staff Changes or New Ideas
One of the most crucial decisions Clemson must make is how to handle its coaching staff. Swinney has a loyal staff, but loyalty can only go so far if the results are not there. A fresh perspective on offense, defense, or even special teams could be what the program needs to regain its edge. Bringing in a new offensive coordinator with a proven track record of developing high-powered offenses could help inject new life into the program.
5. Fostering Competition Within the Program
Clemson has been able to maintain a high level of success because of its ability to develop depth across the roster. However, as the competition in the ACC and across the country increases, the Tigers must continue to foster healthy competition within their program. This will ensure that every position, from quarterback to linebacker, is being competed for, which will ultimately lead to improved play.
