Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney Signs Largest NCAA Football Deal Ever

Swinney and the school agreed to a 10-year extension worth $93 million

Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty)
Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty)
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After leading the Clemson Tigers to their second national championship in three years last season, Dabo Swinney has cashed in with a massive contract that makes him the highest-paid college football coach history.

Approved by school trustees Friday, Swinney’s 10-year extension will keep him with the Tigers through 2028 and pay the 49-year-old coach $92 million in all.

With the new deal, Swinney’s contract now dwarfs eight-year deal Alabama’s Nick Saban has through 2025 ($74 million) and the 10-year pact Jimbo Fisher has with Texas A&M through 2027 ($75 million).

Interestingly, as part of the contract, Swinney will face severe economic penalties if he leaves Clemson to coach the Crimson Tide.

“I am grateful and humbled by the incredible commitment Clemson has made to me, my family and our football program,” Swinney said after the deal was announced. “For more than a decade, we have given our all to provide this world-class university and our incredible fans the championship football program they deserve – to live up to ‘Best is the Standard.’ With this contract, we make a collective statement that we intend to continue pursuing championships and developing total student-athletes for years to come.”

In 11 seasons with the Tigers since taking over mid-way through the 2008 season, Swinney is 116-30, has made the College Football Playoff in each of the last four seasons and won national titles in 2016 and 2018.

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