NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is still furious about the idea of officiating in college football and spoke about it again Tuesday days after a devastating loss to Duke.
Swinney wondered aloud during his media availability why those responsible aren’t held more accountable and highlighted the controversies surrounding the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney talks with the referee in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium on October 4, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
“We have gambling problems, people are suspended, all kinds of things,” he said, via The Athletic. “I mean, referees are people too. They’re not just coaches and players, and if they’re part of the game, then by God, they have to be part of the game, and they have to be part of the accountability. They have to be part of the consequences, not just behind a curtain of shadows.”
Swinney was upset by pass interference against the Tigers in the final minute of their game against the Blue Devils. Duke’s Nate Sheppard scored a 3-yard touchdown with 40 seconds left.
Duke won the game 46-45.
Swinney said he wanted “public accountability” from the ACC to respond to calls he considered erroneous.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney prepares to run onto the field with his team before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on September 13, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
LSU INTERIM AD FIRMLY STOPS NICK SABAN COACHING RUMORS: “NOT GOING TO HAPPEN”
Clemson is on pace for Swinney’s worst season since 2010, when the Tigers were 6-7. Swinney was on the hot seat then, just as he is now, but he managed to turn the program around. Since then, he has won eight ACC titles and two national championships.
Swinney complained about the pass interference call immediately after the loss. The CAC fined him $10,000.
“Public criticism of officials or public comments evaluating the officiating of particular competitions is not in the best interest of intercollegiate athletics. Persons associated with the athletics program are therefore prohibited from commenting while acting in an official capacity on officiating other than directly to the Conference office,” the ACC policy states.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney talks with an official during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2025. (Alex Martin/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
The conference said it considered the matter closed and would make no further comment.
