Well, it was a night that will go down in ACC history and the man leading the charge was Dabo Swinney. When the match ended, or more precisely when Clemson secured a 29-13 win over Florida State, Swinney reached 174 overall… But this wasn’t just any win. The man who rebuilt Clemson football had just surpassed the only coach whose name was synonymous with the ACC for the better part of the last three decades. It is a dramatic irony — Swinney won the title from Bowden on the Bowden field.

Well, folks, Clemson football is humming! Clemson’s coach Dabo Swinney hit number 174, and that makes him the ACC’s all-time winningest coach. This was made possible against none other than the Florida State Seminoles, and in the Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium no less. Perhaps, this story could have been made for the movies, but it is real, and it is a big plus to Clemson football.

Thanks to the Tigers’ 29-13 win over the Seminoles on Saturday night, Swinney tied the record of 174-44 for his entire coaching tenure, which gives him a stunning winning percentage of .798, which is now a record in the ACC. This win is not just a figure; this win is his place in a conference that has already produced its due share of coaching giants. Indeed he surpassed Bobby Bowden’s record of 173 victories, a record set in 2009 when Bowden was coaching the Noles.

Swinney’s achievements do not even end there. He has taken Clemson to eight ACC titles and has won national titles in 2016 and 2018. During his years the Tigers, have also earned six College Football Playoff appearances which set up the paradigm for continuing success. He holds hundreds of home wins and twelve bowl victories, making him a true winner on the field when it is needed most.

That is accomplished all while Dabo Swinney becomes the head coach immediately after replacing Tommy Bowden in the year 2008. He took the program from a good solid competitor to a great national program. Through his work ethic and family-like environment for his players, he demonstrates the spirit with which fans seem to enjoy.

Dabo Swinney: the living legend

Post the game, Swinney expressed his relations with the Bowden family by saying, “He kinda claims me as one of his own.” This is why you can tell this was heart-warming for him as a coach, and for a man who has immense respect for the history of football.

Moving into the future, Swinney’s record-setting win puts Clemson in a great place. Swinney has already established himself as one of the best in the ACC, and this accomplishment only helps. They want more success in the ACC and beyond, and this milestone gives them the confidence they need. Clemson, again, has a strong team, and a demanding mindset keeper means that it will yet dominate.

The Tigers are once again contenders for more national and conference honors this season after winning four consecutive games after their opener against Georgia. Next up? A game they have coming up against Wake Forest might help them to strengthen that even more.

Dabo Swinney has raised new future ACC coaches standards, and as far as I am concerned, it is fascinating to know what this part of Clemson’s history will be like. Swinney has his eyes on more wins and another crack at the playoff, so you know he definitely won’t be sitting down anytime soon.