CLEMSON, S.C. — With his mind split between practice plans, film breakdowns, and travel bookings as he prepares the Clemson Tigers to face No. 4 Texas in the upcoming College Football Playoff, Coach Dabo Swinney still found time to express his excitement over the news of Bill Belichick joining the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as North Carolina's new head coach. "It's incredible," Swinney shared, his face lighting up with enthusiasm.
Swinney, who has guided the Tigers to nine ACC titles and two national titles over his 16-year tenure, recognizes the gravity of Belichick's accomplishments — 302 wins and six Super Bowl victories as head coach of the New England Patriots. While many assumed the 72-year-old Belichick might wait for another opening in the NFL, he chose instead to accept the challenge with the Tar Heels just last week, already focusing on building a competitive program aimed at rivaling Clemson.
“I mean, it's pretty cool,” Swinney said. “It's going to be something seeing him walk inside ACC meetings or things like.” His excitement is palpable, even as he contends with the heavy responsibilities of leading his team against Texas, which boasts an impressive 11-2 record this season.
The 13th-ranked Tigers (10-3) earned their place in the CFP with a nail-biting, last-second victory against SMU on December 7, when freshman kicker Nolan Hauser booted home the deciding 56-yard field goal as the clock ran out. With the game against Texas looming, Swinney reflected on his singular encounter with Belichick at one of Clemson's pro days during the Tigers' consecutive six-year run of appearances from 2015-2020. The two legendary coaches have always exchanged mutual compliments during their brief interactions.
Swinney's admiration for Belichick runs deep; he has attended two Super Bowls featuring former Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen on Belichick's roster. The first was in Atlanta, where the Patriots famously overcame a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. The following year, Swinney was present as the Patriots fell to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41-33, marking yet another chapter in Belichick's storied career.
Wes Goodwin, Clemson’s defensive coordinator, has admired Belichick's defensive schemes for years and believes his leadership will significantly strengthen North Carolina's defense, which could offer ripple effects throughout the entire ACC. "I think it’s going to be huge for this league," Goodwin remarked, emphasizing the need for top-tier coaching and leadership within the conference.
Swinney's own success against elite teams is well documented; he has led Clemson to victories over Notre Dame and Alabama during their championship runs. His own triumphs against Mack Brown, Belichick's predecessor at North Carolina, have cemented his standing as one of the league's premier coaches. Swinney described how he expects Belichick to swiftly impact North Carolina's program positively, acknowledging the Tar Heels’ efforts to refine their approach.
Looking to next season, when Clemson travels to face North Carolina, Swinney is eager about the opportunity for his team to go head-to-head against Belichick. Although the specific date for the matchup is yet to be confirmed, Swinney sees it as an important moment for both teams. “I mean, it’s great for college football,” he said. “There are a lot of great coaches in this league. And again, for him to want to come to this, I think says a lot.”
When asked whether Belichick might rival him at press conferences—a venue known for Swinney's lengthy and thorough answers—he chuckled, commenting, "Don’t know if he’s going to give you any depth chart answers.” Yet he humorously conjectured, “Count on, ‘We’re on to Pittsburgh’,” referencing Belichick’s famed focus on the next game.
Belichick's addition undoubtedly boosts the profile of the ACC. Swinney concluded with confidence, stating, “There is nothing in his past, zero, says he won’t be successful (in college).” There is palpable excitement buzzing through the conference as the prospect of rivalry with one of football's greatest minds looms on the horizon, promising to heighten the stakes as the ACC looks to progress through the upcoming seasons.
