Official ACC Championship records

Dabo Swinney Becomes ACC Wins Leader with 174th Victory, Surpassing Bowden at Bowden Field

Oct 6, 2024, 02:40 AM

Clemson University's football team defeated Florida State University 29-13, marking coach Dabo Swinney's 174th win and making him the most successful coach in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. Swinney surpassed the late Bobby Bowden, the legendary Florida State coach, in total ACC victories on the field named after Bowden in Tallahassee. Reflecting on this achievement, Swinney expressed deep admiration for Bowden, stating, 'My name may be on the list, but nobody better than Bobby Bowden. That's just a fact.' He recalled his first game against Bowden as a memorable experience despite the loss, highlighting 'what could have been an awkward situation' but credited Bowden for how he handled it. Swinney also shared that he still keeps Bowden's voicemails and a cherished letter in which Bowden said he considered Swinney 'as one of his own.' Swinney believes Bowden would be fine with him breaking the record at Florida State, saying, 'If he could poof down from the sky from heaven, he'd smile.'