What does Clemson coaching history show?
Clemson coaching history on this page spans 25 tracked head coaches, led by Dabo Swinney with 180 wins from 2008-2025.
Program history
Clemson Football History
Program history, coaching eras, title years, and signature seasons.
Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC) • Clemson • SC
ACCMemorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)
Seasons Indexed
125
All-Time Wins
795
Winning Seasons
64%
Last 10 Win %
79.7%
History guide
Clemson program history explained
This history tab puts Clemson into a longer program timeline: season records, winning and losing streaks, coaching-era context, title references, playoff runs, and decade-level performance.
The current dataset includes 125 indexed seasons, 3 title seasons, and 25 coaching tenures. Use the national record links to compare the program against broader college football leaderboards.
Playoff History
Follow this program's CFP appearances, results, and signature January moments.
7 appearances
Titles
2
Finals
4
Semifinals
6
Best run
Champion
Year-by-year appearances
2024
0-1 playoff record
first round
Seed 12
2020
0-1 playoff record
semifinals
Seed 2
2019
1-1 playoff record
championship
Seed 3
2018
2-0 playoff record
Champion
Seed 2
2017
0-1 playoff record
semifinals
Seed 1
2016
2-0 playoff record
Champion
Seed 2
2015
1-1 playoff record
championship
Seed 1
Game results
Every CFP result on one scan line.
Worst loss: Ohio State (-21)
2024 First Round
vs Texas
24-38
Loss
2020 Semifinals
vs Ohio State
28-49
Loss
2019 National Championship
vs LSU
25-42
Loss
2019 Semifinals
vs Ohio State
29-23
Win
2018 National Championship
vs Alabama
44-16
Win
2018 Semifinals
vs Notre Dame
30-3
Win
2017 Semifinals
vs Alabama
6-24
Loss
2016 National Championship
vs Alabama
35-31
Win
2016 Semifinals
vs Ohio State
31-0
Win
2015 National Championship
vs Alabama
40-45
Loss
2015 Semifinals
vs Oklahoma
37-17
Win
Program History
Explore the program's most dominant seasons, toughest stretches, and era-by-era trends.
Use the snapshot to scan program-wide benchmarks, standout seasons, and decade-level performance trends.
Total Wins
795
Across 125 seasons
Winning Seasons
64%
Share of winning records
Average Record
6.4-3.8
Per season
Last 10 Seasons
79.7%
Win rate since 2026
Signature Season
2018
15-0 (100.0% win rate)
Toughest Season
1975
2-9 (18.2% win rate)
Peak Seasons
Most wins in program history
Highlights the seasons that produced the biggest win totals for the program.
| Year | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 15-0 | 100.0% |
| 2019 | 14-1 | 93.3% |
| 2016 | 14-1 | 93.3% |
| 2015 | 14-1 | 93.3% |
| 1981 | 12-0 | 100.0% |
Challenging Seasons
Years that tested the fan base
Surfaces the seasons with the heaviest loss totals and weakest win rates.
| Year | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 2-9 | 18.2% |
| 1998 | 3-8 | 27.3% |
| 1970 | 3-8 | 27.3% |
| 1925 | 1-7 | 12.5% |
| 1926 | 2-7 | 22.2% |
Era Performance
Win rate by decade
Buckets every season into decade groups so long-run rises and dips are easier to spot.
| Decade | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 57-22 | 72.2% |
| 2010s | 117-23 | 83.6% |
| 2000s | 79-47 | 62.7% |
| 1990s | 69-47-1 | 59.4% |
| 1980s | 87-25-4 | 76.7% |
| 1970s | 56-54-3 | 50.9% |
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