Dabo Knows Who to Thank

Dabo Swinney has been promoted today to head coach of the football team at Clemson University, one of the toughest jobs in college sports

A tough job because of Clemson's winning tradition and demanding fans.

I would've been terribly surprised if the 39-year-old interim head coach had not been named head coach.

Saturday, as I watched the South Carolina-Clemson football game, I saw the video of the stands that we've since run numerous times on News Channel 7.

It showed students chanting, "DA-bo SWIN-ney (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)! DA-bo SWIN-ney (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)!"

How often do you see football fans -cheering- their team's head coach? Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips no doubt saw the connection this young coach who inherited a difficult situation had made with the fans.

And Swinney's 4-2 record as interim coach, including a big win over South Carolina, made it clear he has a connection with the players too.

"They were down and out. People had written them off," said Phillips at this afternoon's news conference. "Through Coach Swinney's leadership, with him and the assistant coaches, they rallied, fought back, gave great effort and turned the season around. I think this team is going to be remembered in history because it was a team that was written off."

Swinney was choked up from the get go at the news conference. At one point, all he could get out was "man!"

Instead of being cocky, he showed humility. Instead of thumping his chest, he thanked everyone who has loved and supported him.

And Swinney had the microphone only a few seconds before he was thanking God.

"I need to take this platform that I have, that I've been blessed with and given, I need to thank God. There's really only one reason that an ol' boy from Pelham, Alabama is sitting here in front of you today, and that's the grace of God."

"To be here as the head coach of Clemson, that doesn't just happen."

Swinney shared his secret of success: "Put the eyes of the Lord on everything you do, you believe in yourself, and you don't quit. It's really that simple. And if you do that, then you'll know true success, and you'll know true happiness."

I think we all have moments when God talks to us. Not with a voice like that of a human, but through some special event (or events) that give you assurance that everything is going to be okay if we'll just let Him work in our lives.

Dabo had a God moment last Tuesday.

He says he receives a daily e-mail devotional. Tuesday's verse was Revelation 3:8.

Dabo paraphrased it at the news conference. Tonight I looked it up on www.bible.com.

"I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

Dabo says the verse gave him a "real peace."

Dabo says he deleted the e-mail. It was waiting for him again Thanksgiving morning, same verse. He shared it with his team that day. "We've opened the door nobody can shut," he told them.

"I knew at that point (the University of) South Carolina was in trouble on Saturday."

Clemson 31, USC 14.

I've watched a lot of news conferences in my 33 years in broadcasting. Today's was one of the most captivating and touching. It made you want to hand Dabo a handerchief and give him a hug.

There were no grandiose promises of undefeated seasons, bowl wins and national championships. Just thanks for the opportunity... I'll do my best.

Today's newser was also great because Dabo Swinney knows he's been blessed. And he knows who to thank.

Terry Don Phillips and Clemson President Dr. James Barker were thanked by Coach Swinney today.

But Swinney showed that he knows the true source of all good things.

An impressive start, coach.