Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced that the decision to not broadcast the Annual Orange & White Spring Game on April 5 at Memorial Stadium was made internally.
“We had the option to air it on TV, but we chose not to,” Swinney explained after Wednesday’s scrimmage. “It wasn’t due to anyone’s reluctance; we wanted to manage it our own way.”
He also addressed concerns that the choice not to televise the game was motivated by fears of other coaches scouting players.
“No,” Swinney responded firmly when asked if tampering was a factor. “I simply wanted to avoid the drama. Hopefully, this means we can attract more spectators. But I’m not concerned about that.”
He added, “If players are inclined to leave, they will do so. We’ll recruit new talent if necessary. I’m not overly concerned; you can’t escape these issues.”
Swinney emphasized that if another coaching staff intends to tamper with players, they will do so regardless of whether the spring game is on TV.
“If tampering happens, it happens,” he said. “If kids want to leave, they will. It’s straightforward.”
He noted that the team has experienced high retention rates over the past two years, but acknowledged that circumstances could change quickly: “We led the nation in retention, but who knows if half the team will depart in a few weeks? We’ll have to wait and see.”
Swinney further explained that this year’s Orange & White Game will differ from previous years when coaches divided the squad for a competitive game. With numerous players sidelined due to off-season surgeries or injuries, the coaches decided it would be best to conduct a traditional scrimmage this time.
Clemson plans to produce a one-hour program to be streamed on Clemson-Plus, available to IPTAY donors, featuring behind-the-scenes insights into the Tigers’ coaching staff and players, with some coaches and players wired for an NFL Films-style experience.
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