Coach Dabo Swinney is still upset about the officiating three days after Clemson lost to Duke 46-45. A controversial pass interference decision played a major role in the Blue Devils winning drive. Swinney criticized the officials for “one the worst calls” that he had ever seen. On Tuesday, Swinney made arguments in the big picture and called reform. The two-time champion pleaded specifically for greater accountability and a requirement to make officials full-time. Swinney received a public reprimand this week from the ACC due to his comments made after the game. Clemson also received a fine of $10,000 for what the conference deemed a violation to league policy.Swinney stated Tuesday that coaches are fined and crucified. “Players get crucified and held to this unrealistic accountability standard. But refs have zero accountability. The refs are accountable, but behind a veil. Then they can drink a beer, go back to their normal lives and leave behind the chaos that is affecting many people – people who are losing their jobs. “That system needs to be changed.”
Dabo Swinney defends his bad officiating comments following ACC reprimand. Clemson fined for Duke loss
Brad Crawford
Dabo Swinney says refs should be held accountable in public. The call that enraged Swinney came with less than one minute remaining in the loss to Duke during Week 10. The Blue Devils trailed by a touchdown, and on fourth down, quarterback Darian Mensah fired a deep ball that fell incomplete for what appeared to be a turnover on downs until officials flagged Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell for a pass interference penalty that kept the drive alive and set up Duke’s go-ahead touchdown.Terrell took the brunt of the contact with Duke receiver Que’Sean Brown on the play and fell to the ground as a result of the collision. Clemson’s players and coaches were left dumbfounded by the call.
Swinney stated that “they need to be full time refs and it has to be a profession.” “There should be a leader, and a voice. This is the number one priority. The public should also be held accountable. Period. You can’t critique them? The only people in the arena who don’t have to face any public consequences are these two. God forbid that you have to pay a penalty because you criticize a performance. But everyone else is allowed to be criticized. It’s a bad set-up.
Dabo Swainney said he may lose his job after latest loss.
Brad Crawford
Clemson has faced a number of challenges this season, including the questionable call that led to a loss. The Tigers’ latest loss is their fifth of the season, and has sent them further down to 3-5.”We have gambling issues, people getting suspended, that kind of thing, right?” Swinney spoke. “Refs too are people,” Swinney said. Not just players and coaches. If they are part of the sport, then they should be part of it. They should be held accountable. They should be part of the accountability, not hidden behind some dark curtain.”
Swinney made his third appearance in public on Tuesday, after his Sunday teleconference as well as the postgame presser. In both of these events, Swinney criticised the officials over the pass interference decision.
2025-11-04 23:26:54
