Dabo Swinney shares initial reaction to Bill Belichick, North Carolina news

Dabo Swinney will be joined by the legendary Bill Belichick in the ACC this season. The Clemson head coach couldn’t be happier to have someone with the former NFL leader’s stature joining the fold at North Carolina.

It adds even more legitimacy to the conference ahead of the 2025 season. Thinking back to when the news was made official, Swinney explained what his initial reaction to the news was — a mix of excitement and surprise, it seems.

“I was excited, honestly. I think it’s great for our league. Certainly, probably surprised, like everyone else, because he’s arguably the best to ever do it, and to do it at the highest level in the NFL. He’s so close to the all-time winningest record there,” Swinney stated, via the College GameDay Podcast. “So, I was probably a little surprised at first, like everyone, but then it was like, ‘Wow, this is Bill Belichick coming to the ACC,’ so I thought it was pretty cool.”

Even thought their paths haven’t crossed much, it’s evident there’s an immense amount of respect between Swinney and Belichick. If both of their teams reach the heights they’re projected to in 2025, a special matchup could be on the docket when they face off for the first time at the college level.

While the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach, at 73 years old, is making his debut coaching in college football, Swinney isn’t taking him lightly. Neither is Belichick with the Clemson coach. He even said he may copy some of the tactics his peer has used during his time with the Tigers.

“I’m not as familiar with things as a lot of the coaches, especially like Coach [Dabo] Swinney here,” Belichick admitted, via the same interview. “You know, he’s got way more experience in doing a lot of the things that that we do in the ACC than I do. Way more. So I’m watching him. I’m looking into the program, a great program.

“I want to try to copy and do some of the things that he’s been very successful with, and understand why he does them and it makes sense. He’s turned out a great product year after year after year after year. That speaks volumes.”

On October 4, Dabo Swinney and Clemson will take on Bill Belichick and North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Talk about a must-see game. Mark your calendars now, because that one is going to be special.