Clemson’s Dabo Swinney Rips Lane Kiffin for ‘Embarrassing’ College Football

Clemson's head coach Dabo Swinney expressed strong disapproval of fellow college football coach Lane Kiffin's recent actions, describing them as "embarrassing." The Clemson Tigers are set to face the LSU Tigers in the opening game of the 2026 college football season. Kiffin, known for advocating for pushing the boundaries of college football in the modern era, is currently under fire for his decision to recruit NFL rookies who are seeking an additional fifth season of collegiate eligibility.

Former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae Quan Wright is reported to be working out with LSU as the team prepares for their upcoming college football campaign. When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Swinney made it clear that while he does not blame the young players, he takes issue with those who seek to exploit the system. He stated, "It’s kind of embarrassing... It’s embarrassing that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids, but people trying to take advantage of the system."

Kiffin, however, remains unfazed by the criticism, asserting that he does not consider personal reputation or public perception when making decisions for his team. He explained, "I don’t make decisions on what benefits me personally and what it does to my reputation or how people outside of here view me. Even if it’s a couple of players that maybe don’t even start, if it makes your team better, and it’s legal to do, and the players want it, I’ll take the hit publicly for it. That’s my job." Saturday's game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.