When 14th-ranked Clemson battles Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, more than just conference standings will be on the line. A victory would cement Dabo Swinney’s place in ACC history, surpassing Bobby Bowden to become the winningest coach in the conference.
Dabo Swinney’s Pursuit of ACC History: One Win Away from Legendary Milestone
Bowden, who passed away in 2021, built an iconic legacy with Florida State, coaching the Seminoles from 1976 to 2009 and guiding them to 173 wins as a member of the ACC. Dabo Swinney, in his 17th season at Clemson, matched Bowden’s ACC win total with a dominant Week 5 victory over conference newcomer Stanford.
Now, as Clemson prepares to face the Seminoles in Tallahassee, Swinney is on the verge of surpassing Bowden to become the all-time leader in ACC wins — on Bobby Bowden Field, no less.
Swinney has been a defining force in the ACC, much like Bowden was in his prime, leading the Tigers to a 173-44 record and winning two National Championships (2017 and 2019). And after dropping Week 1 to Georgia 34-3, Clemson has been on a tear, rattling off three convincing victories over App State (66-20), NC State (59-35), and Stanford (40-14).
Meanwhile, FSU has been the biggest disappointment of the year, going 1-4 after a historic undefeated regular season in 2023. The ‘Noles will be without starting QB DJ Uiagalelei, who played in Death Valley from 2020-22, due to a hand injury, forcing redshirt freshman Brock Glenn into the lineup. Thus, the 15.5-point spread in favor of the Tigers isn’t all that surprising.
Here’s a look at the all-time winningest coaches in the ACC entering Week 6 of the 2024 season:
- T-1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson: 173-44 (2008-present)
- T-1. Bobby Bowden, Florida State: 173-53-1 (1992-2009)
- 3. George Walsh, Virginia: 134-86-3 (1982-2000)
- 4. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: 113-47 (2004-15)
- 5. Mack Brown, North Carolina: 110-75-1 (1988-97; 2019-present)
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A year-by-year breakdown of Swinney’s coaching record at Clemson highlights his incredible run as head coach:
- 2008: 4-3
- 2009: 9-5
- 2010: 6-7
- 2011: 10-4
- 2012: 11-2
- 2013: 11-2
- 2014: 10-3
- 2015: 14-1
- 2016: 14-1
- 2017: 12-2
- 2018: 15-0
- 2019: 14-1
- 2020: 10-2
- 2021: 10-3
- 2022: 11-3
- 2023: 9-4
- 2024: 3-1
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