CLEMSON – Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday morning that he’s “disappointed” that quarterback Kelly Bryant has decided to leave the team.

Bryant announced his intent to transfer to another program in an exclusive interview published Wednesday on GreenvilleOnline.com and Orangeandwhite.com.

More: In exclusive interview, Clemson football QB Kelly Bryant says he will transfer

“Even though I don’t think this is a great decision for him, I respect it and wish him nothing but the best,” Swinney said during the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Football Teleconference. “Another program is going to get a quality quarterback and quality young man.”

More:Clemson football quarterback Kelly Bryant transfers: The timeline of his decision

A new NCAA rule implemented this year allows a player to play in up to four games without burning a year of eligibility, so Bryant, who already has graduated, could play for another program next season.

Bryant, who guided Clemson to a 12-2 record last season and a 4-0 start this season as a starter, on Sunday was demoted to No. 2 on the depth chart behind freshman Trevor Lawrence.

Swinney said on Tuesday morning that he and Bryant had a “long, emotional” talk on Monday and that he had given Bryant the day off from practice.

But speculation about Bryant’s future with the program began to swirl when he also was a no-show for Tuesday’s practice.

More Dabo Swinney had 'deep, long, emotional' talk with QB Kelly Bryant

Swinney said the move of Lawrence to the starting role for the Syracuse game this Saturday was made based on “production.”

“As a coach, sometimes you have to make tough decisions that are in the best interest of the team and this was one of those decisions and I’d make it all over again,” Swinney said.

More:Clemson Football: 3 schools that would be a good transfer destination for QB Kelly Bryant

More:Clemson Football: With Kelly Bryant's transfer, Trevor Lawrence's era has begun; now what?

Lawrence has thrown a team-high nine touchdown passes this season, including four against Georgia Tech last Saturday, when he led the Tigers to five touchdowns on six drives.

Bryant, a former standout at Wren High, has thrown for two touchdowns and run for two more this season.

“I felt like he could have helped us win and played a lot, but that’s not what he wanted to do,” Swinney said of Bryant. “I love Kelly and wish him all the best and appreciate what he’s done for this university and this team.”