Dabo Swinney evaluates his evolution as a play-caller

Dabo Swinney understands the balance of play-calling from a head coaching perspective. He has an offensive coordinator in place, a guy he trusts to run the unit and make the right calls in the right spots. However, Swinney also has a good sense of when to butt in and add his own spin to the play calls.

At a press conference this week ahead of Clemson’s game at Boston College, Swinney revealed his philosophy on play-calling as a head coach, at least from his perspective.

“I’ve called good ones, I’ve called bad ones. I think every head coach has an expertise and instincts and you you input that when you need to,” said Swinney. “I mean, that’s part of being a head coach, is knowing when you need to assert yourself and when you need to just stay in tune to what’s going on. Just got to pay attention.”

Swinney went on to say that he trusts his staff and team as a whole to make the right decisions on game day. But according to him, the real work is done in the lead-up to the game. Execution on Saturdays is a product of preparation during the week.

“So, that’s that’s not any different than what I’ve always done. Whether it be National Championship Games, whatever, for my whole career. But I love my staff, man. We got a great group and our players are very involved. It’s just a really good group. But you win, you don’t win — you don’t win the game on game day. I mean, you have instincts. I think again, to be a great head coach, you have to trust your instincts. You have to watch the game and you have to trust your instincts in critical situations. But you win the game during the week.

“I mean, you win the game when you’re in Tuesday meetings and you’re game planning. You win the game Tuesday night and Wednesday night when you’re making critical decisions. How we’re going to call things, situational football. You don’t just show up on game day and go…okay, well let me just figure this out. It doesn’t work that way. The game is played through the week. And then again, just your messaging, your meetings, how you practice, guys taking ownership of the plan — that’s what leads to execution. But man, our staff has done an awesome job just putting our guys in position to be successful.”

Dabo Swinney can be more relaxed when it comes to play-calling during games. Due to the preparation done in the days leading up and because he trusts his staff and players.