July 1 is here and with it comes the first days of the NCAA’s new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy. And Twitter users are wondering what that means for Dabo Swinney’s future.
The Clemson coach once said in a 2015 interview that he would “go do something else” if the NCAA ever professionalized the sport.
“As far as paying players, professionalizing college athletics, that’s where you lose me,” Swinney said, per Yahoo Sports. “I’ll go do something else because there’s enough entitlement in this world as there is.”
MORE: Where does Dabo Swinney rank among FBS’ 130 coaches?
It’s not the only time Swinney has said something like that. In a 2019 interview, he said he may go to the pros if the NCAA decides to “professionalize college athletics.”
“Who knows? They may do away with college football in three years. There may be no college football. They may want to professionalize college athletics. Well, then, maybe I’ll go to the pros. If I’m going to coach pro football, I might as well do that,” Swinney said, per ESPN. “I may get a terrible president or a terrible AD one day. I don’t know. I have no idea what’s down the road. But I know what we have at Clemson is special, and I wanted to make a commitment to the university. That’s what the message of the contract was.”
In fairness, Swinney’s comments in that interview were in response to questions about him returning to Alabama if Nick Saban retires. So, he was just saying that he wouldn’t rule out any potential career move.
Nonetheless, Swinney has repeatedly said that he isn’t a fan of the idea of paying players. That day is now here with NIL in effect.
MORE: Tracking the notable NIL deals signed by college athletes
As a result, Twitter took time to roast Swinney for his previous comments, as many asked whether or not the Clemson coach would be a man of his word and resign. Here’s a look at some of the many tweets about Swinney.
Dabo Swinney walking out of the Clemson facility for the last time after Twitter spends the rest of the day pulling receipts pic.twitter.com/vmzL8K3cmm
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) July 1, 2021
Has Dabo Swinney resigned yet?
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 1, 2021
Didn’t Dabo say he was going to quit if athletes could get paid?🤔
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) July 1, 2021
Dabo Swinney: “But as far as paying players, professionalizing college athletics, that’s where you lose me. I’ll go do something else, because there’s enough entitlement in this world as it is.”
Welp……nice knowing ya Dabo https://t.co/fw5Z1NwUUv
— BrentH (@HJhughes79) July 1, 2021
Anybody know what time Dabo’s press conference to announce retirement is?
— DaboSwinneyProblems (@DaboSwinneyProb) July 1, 2021
As fun as this has been for Twitter users, Swinney actually is in support of NIL, according to Grace Raynor of The Athletic. In fact, he has cited it as a way to “modernize the collegiate model” and “modernize the scholarship.” So, it doesn’t appear that this type of player payment bothers him despite his previous comments.
As such, Twitter users shouldn’t expect a resignation from Swinney over this new policy.