CBS Sports reporter Brandon Marcello just dropped his rankings for the top 25 coaches in college football. The list features rising stars and established names. However, Dabo Swinney, a legendary Clemson figure, was left entirely out of the conversation.

“Plenty of great coaches across college football,” Marcello wrote in an X post he shared on May 27. 

In his list, Marcello placed Jon Sumrall of the University of Florida at No. 25and Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers at No. 1. Kyle Whittingham, who is coaching the University of Michigan in his first season, like Lane Kiffin for LSU, is placed at No. 9 and No. 8, respectively. 

While these coaches have made it to the list, Swinney’s absence is surprising. The 56-year-old has been a career Clemson coach who joined the program in 2008. Over 18 years at the helm, Swinney led the Tigers to a 187-53 record and 12 bowl victories.

Out of four appearances, the Tigers won the CFP National Championship twice, first in 2016 then two years later in 2018. In 2024, they reached the CFP First Round, but lost it. Yet, according to the Clemson Tigers’ official website, he is the “winningest coach in ACC history.”

Swinney’s 180 victories have surpassed the 173 clinched by College Football Hall of Famer Bobby Bowden, who “accrued” them after Florida State joined the conference in 1991. He clinched his 174th victory in 2024 at Bobby Bowden Field in Tallahassee.

Despite this illustrious career, Swinney’s exclusion from the CBS’s Top 25 list has upset fans who have questioned Marcello’s post.

Upset Fans Call Out CBS List For Excluding Dabo Swinney

Under Brandon Marcello’s X post, fans shared their disagreement with the list for snubbing Dabo Swinney of a rank.

“He’s cooked,” one commented. 

Another replied with a photo of Swinney posing in front of his many trophies and wrote, “this dude top Coach in the Nation over the past 15 yrs.. and not even mentioned.  WOW.”

“Dabo Swinney says Hello,” another replied, also sharing the awards Clemson Tigers won with Swinney.

Another fan had a curt reply for the post.

“The only thing this list is worth is noting that it is not worth responding to,” it read.

“w** had lane kiffin done ? Also…Dabo isn’t even top 25? What is list lmao,” one responded, questioning the list altogether.

What do you think of the list? Do you agree with these fans? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar