Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is facing accusations of mistreatment from former Clemson safety Jaden Kinard's father, Terry.
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Former #Clemson great Terry Kinard says that son Jaden, a Tigers football player was targeted and verbally/mentally abused by coach Dabo Swinney. Will transfer. This is a “Ring of Honor” player so he did not make this announcement without thought.
— FRISBY89 (@iamtimfrisby89) December 20, 2023
Terry Kinard is considered a Clemson legend, playing there from 1979 to 1982. He was a two-time All-American during his time with the program before being selected with the tenth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He played in the NFL from 1983 through 1990, winning a Super Bowl and making one Pro Bowl appearance. He is in Clemson's Ring of Honor for his tremendous college career.
Now, he's speaking out about the treatment of his son, who has transferred away from the program before the upcoming Gator Bowl.
Terry Kinard released a lengthy statement on Facebook.
"His one last goal at Clemson as part of the football team was to finish out the season, which would culminate with the bowl game," the statement reads.
"Coach Dabo Swinney was not having it. He made Jaden's last two practices the worst experience of the entirety of the time he was there. He purposely belittled Jaden, insulted him and called him names. This two day public onslaught went far beyond anything resembling any kind of appropriate coach to athlete exchange. Coaches can use tough tactics when trying to get the best out of a player. This was definitely not that!
"It became obviously personal and it was obviously overkill.
"Other teammates that witnessed this tried to encourage Jaden by telling him to keep his head up. Many of them, including Jaden, were puzzled as to why he was receiving this type of attention now. It was more attention that Jaden had received from Swinney the entire time that he had been there. If Sweeney's desire was for Jaden to go ahead and move on without finishing out with the bowl game, then he should have said so. There were so many non-offensive ways to handle that if you are being on the up and up regarding your true intentions.
"A man's true character is shown and will come out during the times of forced change. The landscape of college football is changing. Unfortunately, it appears as though our son Jaden(a scout team player), who had yet to get any real opportunities to perform on the football field, had to bear the brunt of Swinney's frustrations with the changes. Frustrations that centered around all of those players that were actually on the depth chart that either entered the transfer portal or left with plans to enter the NFL Draft."
Kinard's son was a walk-on in the summer of 2022, but had a hard time ever seeing the field for Swinney and the Tigers.
Swinney is considered by many a Clemson legend in his own right, having coached there since 2009 and won two national championships. However, things have taken a tough turn over the last few seasons, particularly in the age of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness. The Tigers went just 8-4 this year, losing out on an opportunity to play in the ACC Championship, with Florida State beating Louisville in the conference championship.
There has been plenty of criticism directed towards Swinney over the past year, outside of these abuse allegations from Kinard. A Clemson fan called out Swinney during a media appearance, questioning his lofty salary given the team's struggles throughout the 2023 season.
The Tigers will play Kentucky in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 29 and will be without Kinard, who played just two snaps on special teams in 2023.
