Dabo Swinney didn’t offer a strong denial of interest in LSU football job

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is reportedly one of the coaches that LSU football is interested in hiring to replace Ed Orgeron.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported this week that Tigers athletic director Scott Woodward is expected to make Dabo say no.

On Tuesday, Swinney had an opportunity to say no.

But he didn’t slam the door shut quite as hard as Clemson fans probably hoped he would.

Dabo Swinney’s denial of interest in LSU football job wasn’t very strong

Swinney was asked on Tuesday about his potential interest in the LSU job. In typical Dabo-fashion, he acted surprised that he was on Feldman’s list of potential replacements for Orgeron.

“This is the only Death Valley I’m concerned with right here, that’s for sure,” said Swinney, referring to Clemson’s “Death Valley” (via 247Sports).

Saying that he’s only interested in Clemson’s Death Valley is a far cry from saying something like “I am not leaving Clemson for LSU”.

Swinney’s non-denial leaves the door open. And I’m sure he’ll take Woodward’s call — he’d be foolish not to listen.

Now, whether or not Dabo would actually go to LSU?

I tend to think he wouldn’t. Swinney has a good thing going at Clemson. He’s built a lot of equity there. The only program that Swinney leaves Clemson for, in my opinion, is Alabama.

Swinney played at Alabama and served as an assistant in Tuscaloosa for 13 years. That’s home for Swinney, an Alabama native.

If the Crimson Tide want Swinney to replace Nick Saban one day, it’s hard to imagine him saying no.

But when it comes to LSU? I just don’t see it. I don’t think Dabo would be a great fit in Baton Rouge. And I’m not sure his holier-than-thou act would go over well at LSU.