After his Clemson Tigers won the College Football Playoff National Championship for the second time in three seasons Monday night, a charged-up Dabo Swinney gave what many are describing as the best interview of his career.
Speaking on the field to ESPN, Coach Swinney — clearly exultant in the jubilant moment after his team dominated what analysts had been discussing as a near-unbeatable Nick Saban-coached Crimson Tide team, statistically one of the best teams of all time during the regular season — launched into an unscripted “sermon” on the power of God, faith, passion and purpose.
Despite his team matching Alabama’s 14-0 record going into the game, Swinney’s Tigers were considered the clear underdog, Vegas giving them an over-5 point disadvantage and most analysts picking the Tide to win the championship for the second year in a row. But after holding Alabama to 16 in the first half and blanking them in the second half, while the Tigers’ freshman phenom QB Trevor Lawrence lead the team to amassing 44 points, the Tigers literally ran away with the game, ending it on a devastating 10-minute drive.
Though they ended up being the decisively better team, Swinney maintained his characteristic humility in his post-game interview. Asked how he describes the “joy” of the moment, Swinney said, “That’s been my word all year. I’ve tried to be intentional with that. But for me, personally, joy comes from focusing on Jesus, others, and yourself.”
He then turned the focus on all the coaches who deserve to be where he is but never get the chance. “There are so many great coaches that are so deserving of a moment like this and never get the chance to experience it,” he said (partial transcript via FTW). “And to get to do it once and now to get to do it again … You know, it’s a blessing, and it’s just simply the grace of the good Lord to allow us to experience something like this.”
“I’m so happy for our team, our fans, our administration, our former players that love the Paw,” he continued. “You know, there ain’t never been a 15-0 team! And I know we’re not supposed to be here — we’re just little ol’ Clemson, and I’m not supposed to be here. But we are, and I am! And how about them Tigers? I’m so proud of our guys, these seniors. We beat Notre Dame and Alabama, we left no doubt, and we walk off this field tonight as the first 15-0 team in college football history.”
But, again, Swinney turned the focus to God: “And all the credit, all the glory, goes to the good Lord, number one. And number two, to these young people. When you get a young group of people that believe, are passionate, they love each other, they sacrifice, they’re committed to … a singleness of purpose, you better look out. Great things can happen and that’s what you saw tonight.”
After discussing his key decision early in the season to name Lawrence the starter and singing Alabama’s praises, Swinney had a message for all those people who see themselves as underdogs:
“I hope that you get a little hope from us and a little inspiration that, hey, if we can do it, anybody can do it — and I mean that,” he said. “If a guy like me … I said this two years ago: You can’t write a Hollywood script like this — only God can do this, and that’s a fact. People may think I’m crazy or quacky or whatever, but only God can orchestrate this. No Hollywood producer can write it. But I’m just telling you, if I can do it, if these Clemson Tigers can do it, hey, anybody can do it, if you have a belief in yourself and what you’re doing — and you surround yourself with a bunch of great young people that are passionate about winning. And tonight, we conquered a mountain that ain’t ever been conquered. The flag’s on the top. … I just can’t wait to celebrate — I can’t wait!”
WATCH:
Related: WATCH: Superstar QB Makes Strong Statement About His Faith