Where Dabo Swinney and Clemson are ranked in the final college football polls
As of January 21, 2025, the final college football rankings have been released, providing a comprehensive overview of the season’s top-performing teams and coaches. In the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll, the Clemson Tigers are ranked No. 14, reflecting a season of notable achievements and challenges.
Clemson Tigers’ Season Overview
The Clemson Tigers concluded the 2024 season with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses, including a 7-1 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Their performance earned them a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time since the 2020 season. Despite a strong regular-season finish, the Tigers faced a setback in the CFP first-round game against Texas, which contributed to their final ranking of No. 14.
Dabo Swinney’s Coaching Performance
Head coach Dabo Swinney, who has been at the helm of Clemson’s football program for over a decade, continues to be a prominent figure in college football coaching circles. In the 2024 College Football Playoff coach rankings, Swinney is positioned at No. 3, following Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Oregon’s Dan Lanning. This ranking underscores Swinney’s consistent success and leadership within the sport.
Comparative Analysis with Other Coaches
While Swinney maintains a high standing among his peers, it’s noteworthy that he has experienced a slight decline in his ranking compared to previous years. In 247Sports’ 2025 ranking of the Top 25 college football coaches, Swinney has dropped to No. 6, trailing behind coaches such as Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman.
Clemson’s Position in the AP Top 25
The final AP Top 25 poll for the 2024 season reflects a competitive landscape in college football. Clemson’s No. 14 ranking places them behind teams like SMU, which finished at No. 12, and ahead of teams such as Ole Miss and BYU. This positioning highlights the Tigers’ strong performance within the ACC and their competitive standing on the national stage.
Implications for the Future
The 2024 season’s outcomes have significant implications for both Clemson and Coach Swinney. For Clemson, the No. 14 ranking serves as a benchmark for future recruitment and program development. For Coach Swinney, the slight decline in coaching rankings may serve as motivation to refine strategies and enhance team performance in the upcoming seasons.
In summary, the final college football rankings for the 2024 season position the Clemson Tigers at No. 14 in the AP Top 25, with Coach Dabo Swinney ranked No. 3 among college football coaches. These standings reflect a season of commendable achievements and areas for growth, setting the stage for future endeavors in college football.
