Georgia Tech coach Brent Key overhauled his staff this week, firing multiple assistants amid a four-game losing streak. The shake-up came as a season that began with high expectations spiraled into disappointment.
The Yellow Jackets responded Saturday, ending their losing streak with an upset road win over Clemson. The Dabo Swinney coached Tigers managed just 228 total yards in the 20-6 defeat at Memorial Stadium.
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The loss further dimmed Clemson’s ACC Championship game hopes and left the Tigers with injuries to both quarterbacks. Starter Tait Reynolds was forced to head to the locker room early with a leg injury, and Christopher Vizzina threw for 133 yards and an interception in relief. Vizzina went to the hospital after the game with his own injury.
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Swinney reacted to the latest low point in Clemson’s season, acknowledging that any turnaround would have to come from within. “It’s difficult, but ain’t nobody coming to save us, nobody cares, we’ve got to find a way to get it done,” Swinney said.
Clemson has now lost nine of its last 11 home games against Power Four opponents. Under Swinney, the Tigers once put together school-record 40 consecutive home games at Memorial Stadium from 2016 through 2022.
“It’s frustrating; we’ve not played well (at home) coming off two really good wins,” Swinney continued. “Really expected us to play great today. Great week of practice, but again, it didn’t go our way. It’s frustrating, but we don’t make any excuses. We’re not blaming it on injuries. We didn’t get it done. It’s my job.”
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Georgia Tech rushed for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Swinney acknowledged how difficult it is to win when his defense struggles to contain the opposing team’s run game.
“When you can’t stop the run, you don’t deserve to win,” Swinney said. “But you got to score enough points. We’re not doing enough on offense. You don’t win the line of scrimmage, you don’t deserve to win; they did, give them credit.”
Swinney’s 7-6 finish in 2025, his worst since 2010, raised questions about his future with the program. A season-opening blowout loss at LSU further intensified scrutiny of his future and renewed attention on the $57 million buyout he would receive if fired this season.
Swinney is owed $60 million beginning in 2027, but a declining buyout schedule would lower Clemson’s obligation to $57 million if he is fired this fall. His contract does not include a mitigation clause, meaning if he lands another coaching job, Clemson would not get a discount on the amount the school owes him.
Clemson closes out its ACC regular-season schedule next Friday against Duke. Georgia Tech hosts Wake Forest next week in Atlanta.
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