Saturday was a memorable day for Clemson’s head football coach Dabo Swinney, as his alma mater, Pelham High School in Alabama, inducted him into the inaugural class of its Pelham Athletics Hall of Fame.
“I’ve lived a lot of life, but everything always brings me back to Pelham,” Swinney shared in a story on the school’s website. “No matter how long it’s been, it always feels like yesterday when I return.”
Swinney’s early life was far from the luxury he enjoys today. His family lost their home to foreclosure during his childhood, a painful experience he later reflected on. However, in 2020, he bought the house back. “It was taken from us, and that was a tough moment in my life,” he recalled. “I purchased it, framed the deed, and placed a picture of my dad with it.”
Growing up in Pelham helped shape Swinney’s resilience. After his family faced hardship, he continued to fight on, learning important life skills that he now imparts to his players at Clemson. He credits his high school coaches—Billy Tohill, Jim Vakakes, and Paul Kellogg—with teaching him how to compete and succeed, both on and off the field.
“All I did was compete,” he said. “I learned how to compete at the highest level.”
For Swinney, his coaches were more than mentors; they were a source of stability, guiding him through challenges and teaching him valuable life lessons. This influence has helped many of his Clemson players excel in their careers as well.
Swinney has always kept his roots close to his heart. It was at Pelham High that he met his wife, Kathleen, with whom he has three sons. “She’s been my rock for a long time,” he said during his Hall of Fame induction.
The Swinney legacy will be forever linked to Pelham, just as Pelham will always remain a part of him.
After high school, Swinney walked on at Alabama and was part of the Crimson Tide’s 1992 national championship team under coach Gene Stallings. Following several years as an assistant coach at Alabama and a brief hiatus, Swinney joined Clemson’s staff, becoming the interim head coach in 2008 and the permanent head coach in 2009. Under his leadership, the Tigers have won two national championships and made seven College Football Playoff appearances.
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