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Clemson suffered another devastating loss on Saturday, and the high-stakes nature of college coaching led Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney to erupt in several fiery moments from the sideline and on the field. That included Swinney screaming at players and the referees for what he felt was a horrible call on the game’s final play. In a game that initially saw Clemson down several scores, they managed to come back. However, the Duke Blue Devils’ determination led to a key touchdown, and Swinney let his defense have it after the score. A video clip featuring Swinney yelling at players on the sideline went viral, as the coach was clearly unhappy with what he saw. Later, Clemson was on the verge of sealing a win, but what some may deem a controversial pass interference call occurred on a fourth down, setting up Duke near the goal line for a rushing touchdown. That allowed the Blue Devils to take a lead after converting on a two-point conversion. Read more: Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin Gets Strong Warning From Nick Saban on Coaching Job CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 04: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers argues with an official during the second half of the game against the Clemson Tigers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images) The commentators also felt the refs got the call wrong, suggesting that it’s not the call to make in a close football game like this. With the clock working against them at the end, and quarterback Cade Klubnik making a costly error on a free play for Clemson, they were unable to get close enough to try a field goal, let alone find a game-winning touchdown. Ultimately, Duke won 46-45, and Swinney was clearly incensed after the game ended. In a video below, Swinney explodes on the sidelines at his players near the end of the first half. OMG, Dabo Swinney went nuclear on Clemson’s secondary after that last TD from Duke … 👀 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RGiskZfRRG— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) November 1, 2025 Several clips surfaced on X showing Swinney blasting the refs. In one, he’s yelling at what appears to be a specific official, with another referee trying to calm him down. According to ClemsonTigerNet’s Grayson Mann, the heated moment arrived after the defensive pass interference call in the fourth quarter on Duke’s huge fourth-down play. Dabo Swinney lets the officials have it after the Tigers are called for a DPI on fourth down.@ClemsonTigerNet pic.twitter.com/dQf3aLasAq— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) November 1, 2025 After the game, Swinney called out the officials during his postgame press conference remarks. According to Swinney, it was “the worst call he’s seen in his coaching career.” “I don’t even know what to say about the last call. That’s one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen in my entire coaching career. Ever,” he told reporters, also admitting Clemson had chances to win and deserved to lose the game. Saturday’s loss dropped Clemson to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the ACC. They’re currently sitting at the No. 11 spot in their conference standings, after previously being labeled a potential ACC favorite and contender to win the College Football Playoffs. Neither of those goals will come to pass, and one has to wonder whether Clemson’s Swinney will be contemplating his coaching options. While he said he wouldn’t blame Clemson’s athletics director, Graham Neff, for firing him, he also made a bold declaration about his future and the team’s future progress. “Unless Graham sends me packing, I’ll show up on Monday. We will finish. These freshmen will win a championship before they get out of here, I promise you,” Swinney said. Read more: Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea Gets Honest About LSU Firing Brian Kelly For more about the Clemson Tigers and college football, visit Newsweek Sports.
