Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ranks ahead of Georgia's Kirby Smart, USC's Pete Carroll, Michigan's Jim Harbaugh in CBS 'Best Hires of Century'

For nearly two decades, Dabo Swinney has patrolled the sidelines as Clemson’s head coach. And for the most part, it’s been to the betterment of Tigers football.

In 17 seasons, compiling a 180-47 record, Swinney has done more for Clemson than any of his predecessors. Of the program’s three national championships, two belong to Swinney. He’s also dominated the ACC, winning nine conference titles during his tenure.

Swinney is now one of just three active head coaches with a national title, which helped land him on CBS Sports’ list of best coaching hires of the century, according to Shehan Jeyarajah.

“Swinney isn’t the only coach on this list with multiple national championships, but his rise is nothing short of magical,” Jeyarajah wrote. “A former wide receivers coach on Tommy Bowden’s staff, Swinney was one of the least experienced hires on this list when he took over. All he did over the next 15 years was transform Clemson into a national powerhouse. Before his tenure, the Tigers had just one national title and six top-10 finishes; Swinney surpassed both marks on his own. There are fair questions about whether he can return Clemson to the mountaintop in a new era, but those are champagne problems. His hire remains one of the boldest and best swings a program has ever taken.”

Jeyarajah ranks Swinney third on his list, just behind Florida’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s Nick Saban. That puts him ahead of names like USC’s Pete Carroll (No. 4), Georgia’s Kirby Smart (No. 5), and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh (No. 6).

Carroll and Harbaugh have since returned to the NFL, now leading the Raiders and Chargers, respectively. But perhaps the most surprising detail is Swinney being ranked ahead of Smart. Smart has won two national titles just in the last few years, plus three SEC titles, and a 105-19 record overall. However, he's entering just his 10th season at Georgia, so longevity likely factored into the rankings.

Despite resisting some aspects of modern-day college football, Swinney has Clemson positioned once again to contend for another national title in 2025. The Tigers are considered heavy favorites, giving Swinney another chance to show why he remains one of the best in the game.