In the wake of Tommy Bowden's stunning midseason departure, Swinney has vowed to make the most of his six-game tryout.
``From a professional standpoint, this is a tremendous opportunity,'' Swinney, 38, said. ``I'm going to take it and run with it and do the best that I can.''
Right now, that's not refining an offense that's scored just one touchdown in the past six quarters, but reviving spirits after a tumultuous few weeks.
He's instituted a ``Tiger Walk,'' about two hours before Saturday's kickoff so the players, hopefully, can feel the fans' support. The team will wear all orange this week to support the school's ``Solid Orange'' initiative. He's talked of pep rallies and bonding together through problems.
That might be difficult with what they've gone through so far: The clear-cut favorites to win the Atlantic Coast Conference at No. 9 in the country to start the year might struggle to qualify for a bowl at 3-3.
``I've got a little saying on my desk that I've had for years and years and years, that says 'There is nothing less important than the score at halftime,''' Swinney said. ``And that's where we are, we're at halftime. It really doesn't matter about the last six games. What matters is what we do this point forward.''
Athletic director Terry Don Phillips and Bowden met twice Monday morning. Once it was agreed Bowden would step down, it was the coach, Phillips said, who suggested the 38-year-old Swinney was the man for the job.
William Swinney was born in Birmingham, Ala., getting his nickname as an infant when an older brother had trouble saying, ``That boy.''
He was reared on Alabama football and was a skinny walk-on receiver in 1989, the final season for Crimson Tide head coach Bill Curry and receiver assistant Tommy Bowden. Swinney earned a scholarship under new coach Gene Stallings and was part of the Tide's last national title in 1992.
After college, Swinney coached the next eight seasons at Alabama, leaving when coach Mike Dubose was let go following a 3-8 season in 2000.
Swinney wasn't sure what to do next. ``Coaching is a lot like dog years. I was burnt out,'' he said.
After a couple of years in real estate, Swinney got a call from Bowden about joining the Tigers, and has been one of Clemson's most productive recruiters.
Swinney always hoped for a head-coaching job. He regrets his first one came because of a friends' demise, but that's history, Swinney said.
``My job is to try to lead these guys, to love these guys, to get them to love each other,'' Swinney said. ``To get them to play hard and get them to believe in each other.''
Swinney's first few practices have gone well.
``We have rallied around coach Swinney,'' quarterback Cullen Harper said. ``Everyone has his respect and I think we'll be all right.''
The Tigers have dropped their past two games. They'll try and avoid their longest losing streak since 2005 when they go against Georgia Tech.
The coaching switch can work like a cleansing shot of adrenaline for the Tigers, or it can devolve into more confusion for players.
First-year coach Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson figures it can affect Clemson from both sides.
``It's almost like the second chance, like here was the problem and he's gone,'' Johnson said. ``Even though that might not be true, everybody can kind of rally around that until if you have a problem again.''
Phillips says there will be a national search. But he thinks Swinney can make enough of a mark on the position to give him a shot at the permanent job.
``I felt that Dabo would be a person because of the intangibles he brings to the position, how he coaches, how he relates to people, how he relates to players,'' said Phillips. ``I think he's got a very good chance to pull this thing together.''
One of Swinney's first moves was letting go of offensive coordinator Rob Spence.
Swinney promoted two graduate assistants to full-time to fill out the staff. He's urged assistants to hit the phones to recruits, answering questions and soothing jittery nerves of parents and high-school coaches. Swinney also met with Clemson's highly regarded freshmen class, including standout runner Jamie Harper and defensive lineman Da'Quan Bowers about maintaining their commitments to the Tigers despite the turmoil.
Swinney's giving his all now so come December he won't have to look back in regret at moves he should have made but didn't.
``We're going to lay it all on the line,'' Swinney said. ``It might be a seven-week career, but it's going to be fun.''
Dabo Swinney talks about his new position as the interim football coach at Clemson, during a news conference in Clemson, S.C., Monday. Tommy Bowden resigned as coach on Monday. / photo: Associated Press
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