Dabo Swinney, the boss of the Clemson Tigers, explains why he chose to use the Transfer Portal.

As the head coach of the Clemson Tigers, Dabo Swinney has become synonymous with success, leadership, and a deep commitment to the values of his program. Since taking over the reins in 2008, Swinney has transformed Clemson into one of the most dominant forces in college football, winning two national championships, making numerous College Football Playoff appearances, and consistently competing at the highest level. Through it all, Swinney has remained a staunch advocate for doing things the “right way”—emphasizing development, teamwork, and the importance of building a strong program from the ground up.

However, as the landscape of college football has evolved in recent years, Swinney has found himself at a crossroads. The introduction of the Transfer Portal, which allows players to transfer between programs more freely, has significantly changed how teams approach roster management. Initially, Swinney was hesitant to embrace the Transfer Portal, as it seemed to run counter to his belief in player development and continuity. But as the portal became a more prominent part of the college football world, Swinney’s stance on it began to shift.

In a recent interview, Dabo Swinney explained why he ultimately chose to use the Transfer Portal to benefit the Clemson Tigers. His decision was not made lightly, and it reflects his understanding of the current landscape of college football, as well as his commitment to maintaining Clemson’s competitive edge while staying true to the program’s values.

The Transfer Portal: A New Era in College Football

Before diving into Swinney’s reasoning, it’s important to understand the significance of the Transfer Portal in college football. Introduced in 2018 by the NCAA, the Transfer Portal is an online database that allows players to officially declare their intention to transfer to another program. This has drastically changed the way teams recruit and manage their rosters, as players now have greater flexibility to leave their current schools and join new ones without facing traditional penalties.

While some see the Transfer Portal as a tool for players to find better opportunities, others view it as a disruptive force that threatens the stability of college football programs. Initially, many coaches, including Swinney, were reluctant to use the portal, preferring to build their teams through traditional recruiting methods and player development. Swinney’s program at Clemson has long been built on a foundation of developing homegrown talent, and he was initially wary of the impact the portal could have on that philosophy.

However, as the Transfer Portal evolved, Swinney came to realize that it was not something to be ignored. The portal had become an integral part of the recruiting process, and in many ways, it had transformed the way college football teams were built. With more players entering the portal each season, and with top-tier programs increasingly using it to fill gaps in their rosters, Swinney recognized that Clemson could not afford to sit on the sidelines.

Changing the Perspective: Why Swinney Embraced the Portal

For Swinney, the decision to use the Transfer Portal was not an abandonment of his core beliefs but rather an evolution of those beliefs. At its heart, Swinney’s approach to the portal was driven by his desire to remain competitive while still maintaining the integrity of the Clemson football program.

“There was a time when I was resistant to the idea of using the portal,” Swinney admits. “I’m a believer in developing your players, bringing them in, and watching them grow in your system. That’s how we built this program. But over time, I realized that the Transfer Portal is a reality, and it’s a tool that can be used to enhance what we already do. It’s not a replacement for the work we put in with our recruits; it’s just another way to give our program the best chance to succeed.”

Swinney’s primary concern with the Transfer Portal was that it might lead to a transactional approach to building a team—one that prioritized immediate gratification over long-term development. He feared that relying too heavily on transfers would undermine the culture and stability of his program, which had always been built on trust, commitment, and internal growth. For years, Swinney had built Clemson’s success on the idea of creating a family atmosphere, where players developed within the system, worked together, and understood the values of the program. Bringing in transfers could risk disrupting that culture.

However, Swinney quickly realized that the portal wasn’t just about taking advantage of other teams’ misfortunes—it could also be a way to address specific needs on his roster, add depth, and bring in experienced players who could make an immediate impact.

“I’ve always said that we recruit with a purpose. We don’t just take players for the sake of taking them. The Transfer Portal is no different. If we have a need, and there’s someone out there who fits what we’re looking for, we’re going to look into it,” Swinney explains. “It’s not about just filling spots. It’s about bringing in the right kind of player who fits into our culture, can contribute to the team, and can help us win.”

Addressing Immediate Needs and Enhancing Depth

One of the key reasons Swinney chose to embrace the Transfer Portal was the opportunity it presented to address immediate needs on the team. College football is a sport where success often hinges on depth, and injuries, departures, or changes in player development can leave a team scrambling for answers. In some cases, the portal has allowed Swinney to bring in players who can fill specific roles and provide depth in areas where the team might have been thin.

For example, during the 2022 season, Clemson was able to use the portal to address some of their needs on the offensive line, where they had been struggling with consistency and depth. By bringing in an experienced transfer, the Tigers were able to shore up a critical position and improve their chances of success. In a sport as fast-paced and injury-prone as football, having the flexibility to add experienced players who can contribute immediately is a game-changer.

“The portal allows us to supplement our roster with guys who can come in and make an impact right away,” Swinney says. “That’s something we couldn’t do in the past. If we’re in a situation where we need a player who can help us now, we can go out and get one who’s already developed and ready to contribute. It’s not about looking for quick fixes; it’s about addressing gaps and making sure we have the right people in place to keep our program at the highest level.”

While Swinney values developing talent from within, he also understands that sometimes the best way to ensure a competitive team is to fill in the gaps with transfers who can step in and help immediately. The Transfer Portal provides a way for Clemson to stay competitive without compromising their overall vision for the program.

Staying Competitive in the Evolving College Football Landscape

Perhaps the most significant factor that led Swinney to embrace the Transfer Portal is the changing nature of college football itself. With the rapid expansion of conferences, the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and the overall increase in player movement, college football is in the midst of a seismic shift. Programs that are slow to adapt to these changes risk falling behind, and Swinney is keenly aware of this.

“College football has changed, and we have to change with it,” Swinney says. “The Transfer Portal is just one of many things that have altered the landscape. If we don’t adapt, we won’t remain at the top. The goal is to remain competitive and to continue winning championships, and that means using every tool available to us. The portal is just another piece of the puzzle.”

Despite his initial reservations, Swinney understands that the Transfer Portal can be a powerful tool for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving sport. As teams across the country increasingly rely on transfers to fill roster holes, Swinney recognizes that Clemson must be willing to embrace this new reality in order to keep up with its competitors.

“We’ve always been a program that’s done things our way, and we’ll continue to do that,” Swinney says. “But we also have to be smart and realize that the landscape has changed. The portal is here to stay, and it’s something we need to take advantage of if we want to stay on top.”

Maintaining the Clemson Culture

Despite embracing the Transfer Portal, Swinney remains committed to maintaining the unique culture that has made Clemson football so successful. The core values of the program—hard work, discipline, family, and development—remain at the heart of the Tigers’ approach. For Swinney, the key is ensuring that any transfer player who comes to Clemson understands and buys into the culture that has made the program so special.

“We’re not going to bring in just anyone from the portal,” Swinney explains. “They have to be the right fit. They have to understand what it means to be a part of Clemson. The culture here is what makes us who we are, and that’s not something we’re willing to compromise. We want players who will not only help us on the field but who will also add to the culture off the field.”

In many ways, Swinney’s decision to use the Transfer Portal is a reflection of his ability to adapt while staying true to the principles that have defined his program. He understands that college football is changing, but he also knows that the foundation of Clemson football—its culture and its commitment to player development—remains the most important aspect of the program.