Dabo gets words of wisdom

In May, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney went to Texas where he spent some time with Gene Stallings, who coached Swinney when he played at Alabama.

They spent a weekend together but it was the advice Stallings gave Swinney as he was leaving that has stayed with him.

“I was literally leaving his ranch when he hugged me around the neck and said, ‘Dabo, let me tell you something – win the opener. It’s important.’

“This comes from a guy who was 0-3 when he came to Alabama so you can imagine his popularity there. He was making the point that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. That’s why we made winning the opener (against Middle Tennessee Sept. 5) one of our goals.”
-- Ron Green Jr.