Dabo Swinney's 'Charlie's Angels' Confession

Dabo Swinney's 'Charlie's Angels' Confession originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

CLEMSON, SC – The hiring of Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen was a significant move for Clemson, and Head Coach Dabo Swinney revealed at Media Day the surprising, long-standing nature of their relationship, humorously likening it to the classic TV show "Charlie's Angels."

"I've known Tom. We've talked probably for seven, eight years, you know, on the phone. It was like Charlie's Angels, you know. I just hadn't met him," Swinney quipped, then explained the reference for younger reporters. "Back in the day, you know, the Angels, they'd call in, Charlie would give them their assignment and all this stuff, and you just heard them, right, you know. That Bosley, wasn't Bosley in the mix too? But you never saw Charlie."

Swinney explained that he talked to Allen frequently after Allen became an interim head coach and because they shared the same agent. Despite the long-distance connection, Swinney's philosophy on hiring remains consistent: he always looks within the program first.

"No different than anybody else. I mean, I've hired a lot of people from outside our building. I've hired a lot of people from inside our building. I always start there. That's where I'll always start forever and ever and ever. That ain't ever going to change. I'll always start from within. And if I've got a guy or a female or a gal in whatever role it is that's earned it and deserves the opportunity, that's where it's always going to start. But sometimes it's not feasible."

For Swinney, the alignment with Allen on values, family, faith, and a shared philosophy on building culture ultimately made the decision clear. This long-distance, yet deeply connected, relationship ultimately brought the "Charlie" of Clemson's defense into the fold.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.