College football never sits still, does it? The recent struggles of coaching legends Dabo Swinney and Mike Gundy really shine a light on just how crucial adaptability is in this wild, competitive world.
Not long ago, both coaches were riding high, but now they’re wrestling with the rapid changes brought on by the name, image, and likeness (NIL) licensing era and the wide-open transfer portal.
It’s tough to watch, honestly. Their hesitation to embrace these shifts has landed them in some rough spots.
For a deeper dive, check out the original article.
The Rise and Fall of Mike Gundy
Mike Gundy’s run at Oklahoma State has had its share of ups and downs. He’s always been known for finding and developing talent, pushing his teams to punch above their weight.
But lately? Things have gone south.
Early Success
Back in his early days at Oklahoma State, Gundy racked up some impressive achievements. He led the Cowboys to several New Year’s Six bowls and nearly cracked the 2012 BCS national championship game.
People respected him for it—he made Oklahoma State more relevant than anyone expected.
The Downward Spiral
The last few seasons, though, have been rough. Since the start of 2024, Gundy’s only managed four wins against ten losses.
The offense just isn’t what it used to be. There’s even talk they could go winless in Big 12 play.
That recent home loss to Tulsa—first since 1951—kind of says it all.
- Record since 2024: 4-10
- Recent loss: Tulsa at home
- Big 12 performance: Potentially winless
Dabo Swinney’s Struggles at Clemson
Dabo Swinney, once the toast of college football, is facing his own set of problems. Clemson’s run as a playoff mainstay feels like a distant memory.
Glory Days
Swinney’s time at Clemson was pretty remarkable. He led the Tigers to multiple national championships and reached the national title game four times in five years.
He built a tight-knit team and focused on developing players from within.
Current Challenges
But now? Clemson’s sitting at a shocking 1-3 after a tough home loss to Syracuse.
Swinney’s refusal to dive into the transfer portal and NIL world has left the team short on elite talent. The program’s staring down a possible five-year playoff drought.
- Current record: 1-3
- Recent loss: Syracuse at home
- Potential playoff drought: Five years
The Importance of Adaptability
Gundy and Swinney’s struggles—well, they’re a warning for every coach out there. The job’s always changing, whether you like it or not.
If you don’t evolve, you’re probably not sticking around.
NIL and Transfer Portal
Both coaches were slow to catch on with the NIL era and the transfer portal. Gundy actually thought the NIL thing would just blow over and only recently tried to adjust.
Swinney, meanwhile, just flat-out refused to play the transfer portal game, and now Clemson’s feeling the talent crunch.
Lessons from Other Coaches
Some coaches saw the writing on the wall and made moves. Lincoln Riley at USC brought in a general manager to help with recruiting, and Nick Saban at Alabama changed up his roster approach.
It’s clear—if you want to keep winning, you’ve got to keep changing.
- Lincoln Riley: General manager assistance
- Nick Saban: Roster construction changes
The Road Ahead
No one really knows what’s next for Gundy or Swinney. Gundy’s probably on his way out, honestly.
Swinney can either adapt or maybe just walk away. Their choices will shape not just their own legacies, but maybe set the tone for future coaches, too.
Gundy’s Likely Departure
With how things have gone, it’s hard to see Gundy sticking around at Oklahoma State. His slow adjustment to NIL and the transfer portal has really come back to bite him.
Swinney’s Dilemma
Swinney’s at a crossroads right now.
He can either adapt to the new world of college football, or maybe it’s time to step down.
Whatever he chooses, it’s going to shape Clemson’s future.
His legacy as one of the sport’s greats hangs in the balance.
If you want to dig deeper into the struggles of Dabo Swinney and Mike Gundy, check out the original article.
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