Dabo Swinney’s decision to publicly accuse Ole Miss of tampering is something rarely seen in modern college football, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel.
Swinney and the Tigers’ athletic director Graham Neff announced Friday that the program reported Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding to the NCAA for allegedly contacting linebacker Luke Ferrelli while he was still enrolled at Clemson and not in the transfer portal. Swinney described the situation as a “whole other level” of tampering and labeled it “Tampering 301,” while also challenging other head coaches to take a stronger stance against the practice.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Thamel said the most striking part of the situation wasn’t just the allegation itself, but Swinney’s willingness to go public with specific details.
“I think the most important part of Dabo Swinney’s direct calling out of Ole Miss and Pete Golding is just how rare it is in the modern landscape,” Thamel said. “You don’t hear sitting head coaches… just get in front of a microphone and lay out, piece by piece, allegations of tampering.”
Thamel explained that tampering has become widespread across the sport, which is why many coaches avoid speaking out.
“Tampering is first and 10. It is rampant,” Thamel said, adding that most staffs are involved to some degree, making public criticism uncommon.
According to Thamel, Swinney’s comments were widely supported behind the scenes.
“So, around the industry, Dabo’s move was wildly applauded,” Thamel said. “People want rules and they want them to be followed.”
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The NCAA acknowledged Clemson’s complaint Friday night, stating it would investigate any credible allegations. Thamel believes the case could become a notable example, but he’s skeptical it will meaningfully change behavior across college football.
“Is that going to stop an environment where I would estimate 90 percent of the schools are doing some kind of tampering?” Thamel said. “My guess would be no.”
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: College football’s Pete Thamel praises Dabo Swinney over Ole Miss