Clemson coach Dabo Swinney expressed indifference towards potential College Football Playoff expansion, stating he has no control over the changes. The current 12-team format will remain until 2026, with discussions about possibly increasing the number of teams to 16 or 24.
Key points
Dabo Swinney is indifferent about playoff expansion
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney said he is "indifferent" about potential changes to the College Football Playoff format.
Swinney talked to reporters on May 11 while in Amelia Island, Florida, for ACC Spring meetings. According to The State, Swinney said he isn't focused on any changes too much because "(he doesn't) have any control over it," saying "it doesn’t really matter what I think.”
The 12-team playoff format will continue through the 2026 season, but in the latest proposal from the American Football Coaches Association, there is a potential for the number of teams to increase. Though there's no exact number in the proposal, there have been talks of that number going up to 16 or even 24.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson running back Gideon Davidson (8) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Q&A
What did Dabo Swinney say about College Football Playoff expansion?
Dabo Swinney stated he is indifferent about the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff format.
When will the current College Football Playoff format change?
The current 12-team playoff format will continue through the 2026 season.
What is the proposed number of teams for the College Football Playoff expansion?
There have been discussions about increasing the number of teams to 16 or even 24 in the College Football Playoff.
Where did Dabo Swinney make his comments about the playoff expansion?
Dabo Swinney made his comments during the ACC Spring meetings in Amelia Island, Florida.
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Clemson offensive lineman Collin Sadler (50) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson offensive lineman Chapman Pendergrass (65) during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, middle, with fiancée is Macey Matthews and parents
Tod and Kim Klubnik, during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnic, left, gets a hug from former quarterback Tajh Boyd as his name is added to the walk of captains along Tiger Walk, before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Fans look at the walk of captains before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Fans look at the walk of captains before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Fans play corn hole before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Family of 2025-26 captains honorees pose before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Tristan Leigh honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Tyler Venables honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Blake Miller honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Wade Woodaz honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Cade Klubnik honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Adam Randall honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Walker Parks honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Photographers look at names to be revealed along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Securty on the rooftops of Memorial Stadium during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Photographers get ready for Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks about the importance of each season of team captains honored along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks about the importance of each season of team captains honored along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former football players Adam Randall, left, Cade Klubnik, and Walker Parks at the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, middle, with fiancée is Macey Matthews and parents
Tod and Kim Klubnik, during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Walker Parks with family during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller with family during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson safety Polo Anderson (11), left, and safety Kylon Griffin (18), middle, during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson safety Kylon Griffin (18), middle,during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser (81) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson offensive lineman Brayden Jacobs (74) during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson defensive end Darien Mayo (49) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson defensive end Darien Mayo (49) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown (47) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson defensive lineman Amare Adams (95) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson wide receiver Gordon Sellars III (19) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson receiver Jalen Brown-Wallace (86) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton (2) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson receiver Tyler Brown (6) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr (12) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson safety Noah Dixon (27) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Clemson receiver Charlie Johnson (85) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
New team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Former Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson running back Gideon Davidson (8) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson offensive lineman Collin Sadler (50) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson offensive lineman Chapman Pendergrass (65) during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, middle, with fiancée is Macey Matthews and parents
Tod and Kim Klubnik, during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnic, left, gets a hug from former quarterback Tajh Boyd as his name is added to the walk of captains along Tiger Walk, before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Fans look at the walk of captains before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Fans look at the walk of captains before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Fans play corn hole before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Family of 2025-26 captains honorees pose before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Tristan Leigh honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Tyler Venables honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Blake Miller honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Wade Woodaz honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Cade Klubnik honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Adam Randall honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Walker Parks honorary captain before the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Photographers look at names to be revealed along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Securty on the rooftops of Memorial Stadium during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Photographers get ready for Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks about the importance of each season of team captains honored along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks about the importance of each season of team captains honored along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former football players Adam Randall, left, Cade Klubnik, and Walker Parks at the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, middle, with fiancée is Macey Matthews and parents
Tod and Kim Klubnik, during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former Clemson offensive lineman Walker Parks with family during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller with family during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson safety Polo Anderson (11), left, and safety Kylon Griffin (18), middle, during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson safety Kylon Griffin (18), middle,during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser (81) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson offensive lineman Brayden Jacobs (74) during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson defensive end Darien Mayo (49) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson defensive end Darien Mayo (49) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Sammy Brown, Clemson Tigers football linebacker for coach Dabo Swinney
Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown (47) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson defensive lineman Amare Adams (95) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson wide receiver Gordon Sellars III (19) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson receiver Jalen Brown-Wallace (86) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton (2) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson receiver Tyler Brown (6) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr (12) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson safety Noah Dixon (27) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Clemson receiver Charlie Johnson (85) during Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
New team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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Clemson spring football game, Dabo Swinney, Christopher Vizzina see our best photos
Former Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz during the reveal of new team captain markers along Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The goal of the new proposal centers around "structuring a season that concludes in a timely and sustainable way" and to do so, changes being proposed range from eliminating conference championship games to going back to a one bye week schedule rather than two.
The AFCA recommends the season end by the second Monday in January. The other two main changes proposed in order to accomplish the goal include "(preserving) a dedicated window for the Army-Navy game, while allowing flexibility for other games to be played on that day outside the window" and (reducing) the minimum number of days between contests to no fewer than six."
Swinney is heading into his 18th season as coach of the Tigers but is coming off his worst season since 2010. Clemson finished 7-6 and didn't make the ACC title game despite being the heavy favorites entering the season.
Swinney has won nine ACC Championship games. He joked that a lot of people who want the title games to go away can't get to their respective conference championship in the first place.
“I hate to see championship games go away,” Swinney said, adding that he understands it might happen if the number of games increase since there's only so many game days. "Do I like it? No. But I totally understand it, because that’s where it’s going."
The 12-team format was introduced ahead of the 2024 season, an increase from the four-team format that ran from 2014-2023. Clemson won the ACC Championship game in 2024 to receive an automatic bid to the CFP but lost to Texas 38-24 in the first round.
Swinney has won two national championships with Clemson, the most recent in 2018, and has been to the CFP seven times.
Swinney's in-state coaching rival at South CarolinaShane Beamer said May 6 that he's also "indifferent" when it comes to the exact number of teams in the new format but that he's in favor of a shorter season overall. Beamer said he understands people's belief that conference championships are beginning to lose their impact but he loves them.
Dabo Swinney on his Notre Dame 'money' comments
On May 4 Swinney went on the "Always College Football with Greg McElroy" podcast and talked about Clemson's name, image and likeness (NIL) compared to other teams.
Notre Dame was a team that he mentioned generates more NIL compared to the Tigers.
"Notre Dame has their own TV station, and they make their own rules, and they print their own money," Swinney said then. "They've got a money machine in the backyard or something."
According to ESPN and The State, Swinney said he's gotten backlash since making those comments.
"All of a sudden I'm getting hate mail from people," Swinney said. "We have enough. I was just making a point we never had the same as this school and this school."
Swinney also said Clemson might not have "a $45 million roster" like other teams but it "got enough."
"We've just got to be good with it. We've got to be strategic," Swinney said.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social