Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney says some ridiculous things sometimes, and college football fans almost always remember.
But Swinney might want to forget joking about his team losing a few games — and a few fans — especially after the Tigers’ second consecutive loss this year. They’re now 4-4 on the season and 2-4 in the ACC, which is a long way away from the perennial College Football Playoff contender they once were.
A couple weeks ago, Swinney on his radio show shared his response to fans who were less than pleased with Clemson’s 4-2 start. But now, he probably regrets saying that maybe they “need to lose a few games and lighten up the bandwagon.”
“If you don’t go undefeated, people say you’re losers, that you’re terrible,” Swinney said. “It’s such a terrible mindset. And honestly, maybe we need to lose a few games and lighten up the bandwagon. Sometimes the bandwagon can get a little too full. That’s the one good thing about going through a little so-called adversity. You really find out who’s with you and who’s not.”
RELATED: Why N.C. State’s Dave Doeren said Steve Smith Sr. ‘can kiss my [expletive]’ after win over Clemson
Swinney didn’t back down from his statement at the time. But since he shared his thoughts on the Tigers’ “bandwagon,” they’ve been 0-2, first losing to Miami in double overtime before falling, 24-17, to N.C. State on Saturday.
Their other two losses this season were to Duke in the season opener and then to Florida State in overtime in September. The last time a Swinney and the Tigers had four losses in a season? 2011.
Seems like Dabo is doing his part to get bandwagon Clemson fans off the ride. At least, college football fans think so, and, of course, they had so many jokes at his expense.
Gotta give Dabo credit – when he talks about culling the bandwagon, he really walks the walk. pic.twitter.com/qNdSsCKtZk
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 28, 2023
Dabo bodily chucking people off the Clemson bandwagon
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) October 28, 2023
Dabo was serious apparently
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) October 28, 2023
Clemson is now 0-2 since Dabo’s “Lighten Up The Bandwagon” Quote. pic.twitter.com/D1tqY3RGOD
— The Dawgzilla (@TheDawgzilla) October 28, 2023
Dabo making sure everyone hops off the bandwagon pic.twitter.com/xpM8rtzemW
— Ben Glassmire (@BenGlassmireNFL) October 28, 2023
Dabo Swinney got his wish…another loss for Clemson and that bandwagon will be very light.
Won’t matter though because until Dabo adapts to this new era of college football, he’ll continue to move the program in the wrong direction from the great spot they were in.
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) October 28, 2023
Dabo may be losing bandwagon fans but he also may be losing future NIL and IPTAY donors…
— Nachos & Analysis (@Nachos_Analysis) October 28, 2023
Dabo scripting the most hellacious season to get everyone off the bandwagon in prep for 2024 CFP run pic.twitter.com/s9KH4G7CzJ
— Jake Hitt (@jake_hitt06) October 28, 2023
this hits like crack https://t.co/TAOV70UsKt
— Windell (@windell_11) October 28, 2023
How much more room do you need, Dabo?
Wolfpack leads 7-0 pic.twitter.com/o0jXDEh0Ej
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 28, 2023
Well thank God the bandwagon has lightened up now, Dabo https://t.co/AF7CAS2Rk0
— The Clemson Goombah 🇮🇹🐅 (@UpstateGoombah) October 28, 2023
At least we’re getting rid of bandwagon fans, right Dabo?
The internal rot is coming to surface. pic.twitter.com/TXsqK94Y03
— freight train (@freight_train13) October 28, 2023
Dabo is so happy that we’ve lost 2 straight. His idea of “weeding off the bandwagon fans” is working so well for him🤣🤣 Pathetic
— Dill🐅 (@ClemsonDill) October 28, 2023
Your bandwagons getting lighter Dabo 🤣 https://t.co/rLsve8UcHS
— Johnny (@jrptigers) October 28, 2023
Thanks Dabo For Lighting Up The Bandwagon 😮💨😮💨😮💨 https://t.co/IZkt4zIaHE
— Khi (@MalachiRobins20) October 28, 2023
I guess Dabo is still getting people off that bandwagon.
— Billy Howell (@CoachBilly1) October 28, 2023
