“We’re a leadership organization — we just play football doing it.”
At this year’s ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney wasn’t asked many questions — just three, to be exact. But his third and final question turned out to be the one that mattered most. It wasn’t about quarterbacks, recruiting battles, or the ever-changing college football landscape. It was about something deeper — P.A.W. Journey.
And when the topic came up, Swinney lit up.
For nearly eight uninterrupted minutes, the two-time national champion head coach peeled back the curtain on the program he’s quietly built behind the scenes. One that’s helped Clemson not only win big, but retain its players, send graduates into successful careers, and produce strong men well beyond the game of football.
What is P.A.W. Journey?
At Clemson, P.A.W. Journey is a leadership initiative focused on developing Clemson Football student-athletes holistically. It stands for Passionate About Winning, but not just on the scoreboard — in life. The program encourages athletes to maintain a competitive mindset in all aspects of their journey, from academics to community involvement to their professional futures.
The goal? To equip players with personal growth, life skills, and professional development to prepare them for long-term success — both on and off the field.
“We’re a leadership organization,” Swinney said, “and we just play football doing it.”
Built With Purpose from Day One
When Swinney was named interim head coach back in October 2008, he wasn’t thinking short-term. He was thinking legacy.
“I went next door, I lived next door to a guy named Jeff Davis, and he was just my neighbor for six years and I said, ‘This might only be a seven-week job, but I want you to come,’” Swinney recalled.
That moment kicked off a vision that would become P.A.W. Journey. What started as a one-man “player relations” role for Davis has grown into a full-blown department with six staffers, its own wing in Clemson’s facility, and a curriculum built to prepare young men for real life.
“We teach them everything from how to tie a tie, to how to have a nice dinner, to how to do an interview,” Swinney said.
Real-World Experiences
Clemson players have gone on global micro-internships to places like Italy, South Africa, Thailand, and Costa Rica. They engage in community service. They’re trained in financial literacy, tax education, and leadership strategy. They leave Clemson not just with a degree, but with experience — and confidence.
The results speak for themselves: 100% job placement for seven straight years, and 81% of Clemson players who reach the NFL have made active rosters — a rate that far exceeds national averages.
“We are equipping them as men,” Swinney said.
Why Retention Matters
While some programs struggle to keep talent year to year, Clemson’s roster has remained one of the most stable in college football. And Swinney credits P.A.W. Journey for that consistency.
“Every player I’ve signed since February of 2009 has won a championship,” he said. “And the only guys in our building who haven’t are the ones who just got here — so they’re on the clock.”
Clemson players return in the offseason too. Pro Tigers like Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, and Clelin Ferrell spend weeks training on campus — not just for the facilities, but for the culture.
“They had a great experience,” Swinney said.
Jeff Davis: The Unsung Hero
Much of P.A.W. Journey’s success comes from the continued leadership of Jeff Davis, a former All-American linebacker who captained Clemson’s 1981 national championship team.
“Every ounce of success that we’ve had at Clemson, Jeff Davis has been right there,” Swinney said.
What started as a small side initiative has become the gold standard for player development across the college football landscape.
More Than Football
In a world where headlines are dominated by NIL, transfer portal chaos, and coaching drama, Swinney reminded everyone what truly matters.
“ Again, our purpose is graduation, number one. Number two, it’s to equip them as men through the game. Number three is to make sure they have a great college experience. Lastly is to win a championship. ,” he said.
P.A.W. Journey isn’t just a Clemson thing — it’s a Dabo thing. A purpose-first, people-first mindset that’s fueled the Tigers’ rise. And if his passionate answer at ACC Kickoff is any indication, it’ll be at the heart of Clemson Football for more years to come.
