Paul Finebaum Calls It Out: “Bias Against Dabo Swinney” – And He’s Had Enough

The calendar may say 2025, but Paul Finebaum is getting a strong sense of déjà vu when it comes to Clemson—and this time, he’s changing his tune.

Long known as one of Dabo Swinney’s harshest critics, the outspoken ESPN and SEC Network commentator now says the two-time national champion head coach isn’t getting the credit he deserves heading into the 2025 season.

Appearing on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum pushed back against Clemson’s No. 6 ranking in the preseason Coaches Poll, saying it fails to capture the true potential of Swinney’s retooled roster.

“It’s really their first game last year that hasn’t left a lot of people’s minds,” Finebaum said, referencing Clemson’s season-opening loss to Georgia. “Losing at home to South Carolina didn’t help either. And people just kind of ignored how impressive the SMU win was. Even the Playoff game against Texas—sure, it wasn’t a win, but it was one of the only interesting games that day.”

Then came the quote that turned heads across the college football landscape:

“I think there’s also a bias against Dabo Swinney right now,” Finebaum said. “Instead of giving him credit… he’s just shut the noise out and rebuilt this roster. It’s one of the better ones in college football again.”

Yes, that Paul Finebaum—the one who once openly questioned whether Swinney’s run was over—now sees Clemson as a legitimate national contender again.

Later in the segment, Finebaum clarified his past criticisms, saying the skepticism wasn’t about Swinney’s coaching ability, but about his chances of carrying the torch in the post-Saban era.

“We weren’t counting him out as a good coach,” he said. “We were counting him out as the guy to follow in Saban’s dynasty footsteps. But now? They’re back to where they were eight or nine years ago. Great defense. And a difference-maker quarterback.”

With a battle-tested roster, a rising star under center, and a renewed sense of purpose, Clemson is quietly climbing back into the national spotlight—and this time, they’ve got an unexpected voice backing their case.