As pressure continues to mount on Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State following a disastrous 2024 season, speculation about a potential coaching change is beginning to heat up. One of the more surprising names being tossed around in these speculative conversations is Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. His recent press conference rant has many wondering if his time at Clemson might be nearing an end. While it’s still highly unlikely, the idea of Swinney landing in Stillwater isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility. If Oklahoma State were to part ways with Gundy and Swinney somehow became available, he would immediately become one of the hottest coaching candidates on the market. We’ve seen crazier things happen in college football, so let’s dig a little deeper into the situation.
Gundy’s situation at Oklahoma State is growing more tenuous by the week. The Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a dismal 3–9 record, including a winless 0–9 performance in Big 12 play. The fallout led to staff firings and a public standoff between Gundy and the university over contract terms and the program’s direction. While he eventually agreed to a restructured deal, one he likely wasn’t thrilled about, Gundy now finds himself on one of the hottest seats in all of college football. With recent coaching changes at programs like UCLA and Virginia Tech, the question becomes: who might be next? If the Cowboys turn in another poor season, Gundy’s departure could become inevitable.
That opens the door, at least in theory, to consider who could replace him. Dabo Swinney’s name naturally draws attention given his track record of success at Clemson. For nearly a decade, Swinney was one of the few coaches whose résumé rivaled that of Nick Saban. There were years when it was Alabama and Clemson — then a massive gap between them and the rest of college football. Under Swinney, the Tigers won two national championships, multiple ACC titles, and were perennial playoff contenders.
However, Clemson has noticeably taken a step back in recent seasons, and frustrations among fans and media have started to bubble up. Whether or not those frustrations are warranted is another discussion, but when you build the kind of standard Swinney has, sky-high expectations are part of the deal. After a slow start to the 2025 season, Swinney was asked about his future and famously responded: “If they’re tired of winning, they can send me on my way.” While likely said in jest, it was one of the more pointed public remarks he’s made in years and a clear sign that he’s aware of the mounting pressure.
Still, the idea of Swinney being fired by Clemson remains far-fetched. His contract runs through 2031 and reportedly carries a massive buyout of around $60 million as of 2024. That financial obstacle alone is a strong incentive for Clemson to stay the course. Not to mention, Swinney’s body of work still speaks for itself. It’s easy to forget that Clemson won the ACC Championship just last season and reached the College Football Playoff. These type of results would be considered banner achievements for most programs, even if they fell short of Clemson’s lofty standards.
Even if Swinney were to leave or be pushed out, he would likely be pursued first by SEC programs. Schools like Alabama (his alma mater) Florida, or others would be more natural fits if he sought a fresh start. Still, with the unpredictable nature of the modern college football landscape and increasing parity across the sport, it's not impossible to imagine Swinney entertaining an unconventional opportunity. Stranger things have happened.
From Oklahoma State’s perspective, landing Swinney would be a program-altering hire. This kind of move would instantly elevate the school’s national profile, boost recruiting, and signal a serious commitment to competing at the highest level. It could even attract transfers from Clemson or elsewhere, turning the Cowboys into an overnight contender. But beyond the allure, OSU would need to show Swinney that it has the resources, infrastructure, and vision to support a championship-caliber program. Swinney wouldn’t go anywhere that isn’t aiming for the very top. That would likely require significant investments in facilities, NIL funding, and staffing which are all areas where OSU currently lags behind many of college football’s elite programs.
The odds are long, but in today’s fast-moving coaching carousel, where loyalty is fleeting and pressure mounts faster than ever, nothing can be fully ruled out. If Clemson and Swinney do eventually part ways — and if Oklahoma State decides to move on from Gundy — the Cowboys could, at the very least, make the call to see if Swinney would even pick up the phone.
In the end, the idea of Dabo Swinney in Stillwater is more fantasy than reality — but it’s still a fun one to consider. While unlikely, the mere fact that it can even be whispered as a possibility speaks to the volatility of today’s coaching landscape and the growing desperation among programs looking for a marquee hire to reinvent their identity. For Oklahoma State fans, it’s a long shot but one worth dreaming about.