Swinney almost returned to coach Alabama three different times

Tony Crumpton by Assoc. Editor -

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was on the Paul Finebaum show on Tuesday afternoon, and Swinney had some interesting comments about how close he was to returning to coach at his alma mater Alabama three different times in the last twelve years.

Tiger fans are glad that Swinney did not go back to Alabama because he has led Clemson to a #1 ranking with a 13-0 start in 2015 and was recently named Home Depot's National Head Coach of the Year.

"Three different times I was going back to Alabama & all three times it didn't work out." - Clemson HC Dabo Swinney — Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 15, 2015

In January of 2003 Alabama Coach Mike Price offered Coach Swinney a job coaching TE's but withdrew his offer 3 weeks later — Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 15, 2015

Dabo also said he was going to coach on Rich Rodriguez' staff when he accepted then backed out of the Alabama job in December 2006. — Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 15, 2015

Finally, when Saban accepted the Bama job he called Swinney to offer him a spot on his staff but Dabo said it was too close to signing day — Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 15, 2015

Thanks to Dabo Swinney of @ClemsonFB. One of the best and most inspirational interviews we've ever had. — Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 15, 2015