- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,171,235
- Reaction score
- 59
CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney is among the highest-paid coaches in the sport.
Swinney signed a 10-year, $115 million deal with Clemson in September 2022, and it runs through 2031.
Entering the 2026 season, Swinney is in his fifth year of his contract, looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025. Clemson went 7-6, the team's second-worst season in his full 17 seasons, to miss the College Football Playoff and ACC championship.
Here are more details about Swinney's contract and where it ranks in the sport.
Swinney signed his 10-year, $115 million deal with Clemson in September 2022, and it runs through 2031.
He made $11.5 million in the 2025 college football season, the highest in the ACC and the fourth-highest in the sport. Georgia's Kirby Smart ($13.3 million), Ohio State's Ryan Day ($12.6 million) and Southern Cal's Lincoln Riley ($11.5 million) were the only coaches to make more.
If Clemson were to fire Swinney without cause, the school would owe him $57 million in 2026. It is a drop from $60 million last season.
Swinney's buyout amount will remain at $57 million for the duration of his current contract.
MORE: How to buy Clemson football tickets for 2026 season, prices, complete schedule
The "Alabama clause" was first introduced in Swinney's contract in 2019 and reintroduced in his 2022 extension. In his contract, there is an Alabama-specific clause that bumps up the cost of his buyout should he leave Clemson and take over at Alabama.
Swinney was born in Pelham, Alabama, and started his football journey in 1990 as a walk-on wide receiver for the Crimson Tide. When his playing career was over, Swinney transitioned into coaching, serving as a graduate assistant under Gene Stallings from 1993-95. That led to a full-time coaching position from 1996 to 2000.
His contract states that Swinney will have a 150% higher buyout than if he were to leave the Tigers for any other college team.
Here's a breakdown of what Swinney would owe if he leaves Clemson:
Per his contract, Swinney can earn the following bonuses annually:
Last season, Swinney earned no bonuses despite the Tigers making a bowl game for the 21st year in a row, the fourth-longest active streak, after making the Pinstripe Bowl.
He received no bonuses because Clemson only won seven games. The Tigers needed to win eight or more regular-season games for him to net $75,000.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney contract, salary, buyout for Clemson football coach
Continue reading...
Swinney signed a 10-year, $115 million deal with Clemson in September 2022, and it runs through 2031.
Entering the 2026 season, Swinney is in his fifth year of his contract, looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025. Clemson went 7-6, the team's second-worst season in his full 17 seasons, to miss the College Football Playoff and ACC championship.
Here are more details about Swinney's contract and where it ranks in the sport.
What is Dabo Swinney's contract, salary?
Swinney signed his 10-year, $115 million deal with Clemson in September 2022, and it runs through 2031.
He made $11.5 million in the 2025 college football season, the highest in the ACC and the fourth-highest in the sport. Georgia's Kirby Smart ($13.3 million), Ohio State's Ryan Day ($12.6 million) and Southern Cal's Lincoln Riley ($11.5 million) were the only coaches to make more.
What is Dabo Swinney's buyout from Clemson?
If Clemson were to fire Swinney without cause, the school would owe him $57 million in 2026. It is a drop from $60 million last season.
Swinney's buyout amount will remain at $57 million for the duration of his current contract.
MORE: How to buy Clemson football tickets for 2026 season, prices, complete schedule
What is the 'Alabama clause' in Dabo Swinney's contract?
The "Alabama clause" was first introduced in Swinney's contract in 2019 and reintroduced in his 2022 extension. In his contract, there is an Alabama-specific clause that bumps up the cost of his buyout should he leave Clemson and take over at Alabama.
Swinney was born in Pelham, Alabama, and started his football journey in 1990 as a walk-on wide receiver for the Crimson Tide. When his playing career was over, Swinney transitioned into coaching, serving as a graduate assistant under Gene Stallings from 1993-95. That led to a full-time coaching position from 1996 to 2000.
His contract states that Swinney will have a 150% higher buyout than if he were to leave the Tigers for any other college team.
Here's a breakdown of what Swinney would owe if he leaves Clemson:
- 2026: $3 million ($4.5 million if he leaves for Alabama)
- 2027: $3 million ($4.5 million)
- 2028: $2 million ($3 million)
- 2029: $2 million ($3 million)
- 2030: $1 million ($1.5 million)
- 2031: $0
What bonuses are in Dabo Swinney's contract?
Per his contract, Swinney can earn the following bonuses annually:
- $25,000 if Swinney is named as conference coach of the year by the Conference Sports Media Association
- $50,000 for each national coach of the year award given by a nationally recognized entity (maximum of three)
- $50,000 if Clemson plays in a conference championship game
- $200,000 if Clemson wins the conference championship game
- $75,000 if Clemson wins eight or more regular-season games and plays in a non-CFP postseason bowl game
- $150,000 if Clemson makes the College Football Playoff
- $250,000 if Clemson plays in the CFP seminals
- $250,000 if Clemson makes national championship
- $350,000 if Clemson wins the national championship
Last season, Swinney earned no bonuses despite the Tigers making a bowl game for the 21st year in a row, the fourth-longest active streak, after making the Pinstripe Bowl.
He received no bonuses because Clemson only won seven games. The Tigers needed to win eight or more regular-season games for him to net $75,000.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney contract, salary, buyout for Clemson football coach
Continue reading...
