Inside Clemson’s growing frustration with Dabo Swinney — and why a split remains unlikely

Dabo Swinney didn't want to hear it. Asked last week about his roster philosophy, the two-time national champion turned the question back on the reporter. Had he ever played football?

Behind the scenes at Clemson, the questions aren't going away. Though Dabo Swinney is no stranger to public scrutiny, frustration is mounting behind the scenes among key figures at Clemson, sources told CBS Sports.

As the Tigers prepare to kick off ACC play on Saturday against North Carolina with a freshman QB at the helm, speculation surrounding Swinney's future continues to swirl Clemson finds itself in a fragile state following a humiliating 51-10 blowout at LSU in Week 1 and a lackluster two-possession victory over Georgia Southern last week. However, sources have indicated to CBS Sports that any Clemson hot-seat chatter is premature at this point and that a coaching change remains highly unlikely.

That's largely a byproduct of a staggering buyout of at least $57 million and the complex emotional attachment to a head coach many expect to eventually be honored with a campus statue.

The gigantic buyout tied to a contract running through 2031 is a primary deterrent, sources said. Swinney, via new athletics director Graham Neff, received…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/