For years, Clemson supported head coach Dabo Swinney by paying top-dollar for its coordinators. Then-offensive coordinator Chad Morris was among the first assistants in the million-dollar club, and defensive coordinator Brent Venables followed suit thereafter, all while their head coach made quote-unquote only three million a year.
Two ACC titles, one national runner-up finish, five straight 10-win seasons and three top-1o finishes in four seasons later, Swinney is now being paid like one of the big boys. Which is only right because, after compiling that resume, he is one of the big boys.
As reported by Aaron Brenner of the Charleston Post & Courier, Clemson's board of regents has approved a new deal for Swinney paying him a sum of $30.75 million over six seasons -- an average of $5.125 million.
“This new contract was important for us not only for what Dabo has accomplished in his eight seasons here but for what we know the program will continue to achieve – both on and off the field – for the foreseeable future,” athletics director Dan Radakovich said in a statement.
Swinney will become the eighth coach to join college football's $5 million club according to USA Today, joining Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh, Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Jimbo Fisher, Charlie Strong and Kevin Sumlin.
“I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity to do what I love at such a great institution,” Swinney said. “We’ve built a solid foundation of success and will continue to work toward our goals of preparing young men for their future and being successful in everything we do.”
Swinney made $3.3 million last season, 26th nationally, according to USA Today. He stands at 75-27 overall and 56-12 since 2011 and 34-6 in ACC play with two conference titles in that span.