CHRONICLE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney just gets it.

It’s a fair assessment given his 120 post-game press conferences, teleconferences and meetings with the media have involved one thing—thanking the fans.

It did not change following the Tigers 52-10 win over Charlotte this past Saturday.  ‘Just another good win,” he said. “It started with our crowd and our environment, a lot of energy in our stadium. Our players draw from that. It was just a great night, a fun game and fun to see so many guys get an opportunity to play.”

In a day and age when colleges are fighting the draw of apathy, 50-inch, high definition TVs, increasing ticket prices, traffic and the allure of sitting in your favorite recliner and not having to wait in long lines to use the restroom, Swinney gets it.

One need only look at fellow ACC foe, Florida State, for an example of how quick the fans can turn from rabid to absent. Florida State, which won a 3rd national title in 2013, finished last season with a 5-7 losing record.  

This past Saturday, the announced attendance for FSU’s 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Louisville was 46,530. It was the smallest home crowd since the Oct. 20, 1983 game also against the Cardinals when the attendance was 42,117.

While the Seminoles and other colleges struggle to fill their stadiums, the Tigers played host to the 49ers this past Saturday night in front of a sold-out Death Valley.

“Excited to be back in Death Valley this week,” Swinney said prior to the game. “I really appreciate our fans for such amazing support. We’re going to have another sellout. I see a lot of empty stadiums in college football but not here.”

He continued his praise after the Tigers victory. “Awesome crowd just an unbelievable environment,” Swinney said. “You know, sellout and just just a beautiful night.”

In a world where fans are asked to choose on a weekly basis where they will go, what they will do and, more importantly, what they will spend their money on, it is clear that Dabo Swinney understands what the fans mean to his programs success and is not about to stop telling them.

Clemson travels to North Carolina this Saturday. The game can be seen on ABC (WOLO Channel 25 in Columbia). It can also be heard on the radio at WCOS (1400 AM), WGFG (105.3 FM) and WPUB (102.7 FM) and the TuneIn Radio phone APP.