Something that can unite Clemson fans is correcting out-of-towners on how to pronounce the university’s name.
Clemson‘s athletics department has even decided to join in.
Included in the university’s game notes for the Tigers’ game against Georgia Tech on Nov. 14 (12:30 p.m., The CW) is a breakdown of how to pronounce Clemson. While weekly game notes already feature a pronunciation guide for several Tigers players, this marks the first time this season the university’s own name made the list.
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At the top of the game notes’ pronunciation guide, Clemson writes that the correct way to say its name is “Clem-sun” with a “slight P” at the end of the first syllable. Directly beneath it, the guide clarifies that Clemson is not pronounced “Clemz-in,” a common mispronunciation.
There may not be a P in Clemson, but if you want to earn the favor of locals, you’d better pronounce one anyway. For the Tigers, a P is better than a Z every time.
Clemson also includes guide on how to pronounce Dabo Swinney’s name
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Nov 7, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and safety Ronan Hanafin (5) and safety Corey Myrick (22) sing the alma mater following the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
(Rich Barnes, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Nov 7, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and safety Ronan Hanafin (5) and safety Corey Myrick (22) sing the alma mater following the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
(Rich Barnes, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and Virginia Tech Hokies Head Coach James Franklin greet each other with lively conversation during warm up time before kickoff with Clemson and Virginia Tech at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, Oct 24, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney disputes a call in the game with Miami during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday, October 3, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney talks about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Dabo’s All In Foundation in the Smart Family Media Center in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers stands on the sidelines during the first half against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and University of North Carolina Head Coach Bill Belichick briefly shake hands after the game in Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 19, 2026. Clemson won 28-20.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks with quarterback Tait Reynolds (2) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday, September 12, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney looks on during the first half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney greets fans after the Tigers’ 28-14 win over South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 29, 2025.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) poses with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney before kickoff with Furman University at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC, Saturday, November 22, 2025.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney leads Tiger Walk two hours before kickoff with Southern Methodist University at Memorial Stadium in Clemson Saturday, October 18, 2025.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Oct 11, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney calls time out during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
(Eric Canha, Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Sep 20, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney late in the game against the Syracuse Orange at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard/GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after their 24-21 loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 07: Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after the game winning field goal after the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 07: Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after winning the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Nov 2, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney reacts after people in the stands threw water bottles on the field after a call in favor of the Louisville Cardinals Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images
(Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Gator Bowl: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is doused after the Tigers defeated Kentucky.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts near his wife Kathleen Swinney, below, and brother Tracy, left, after the Tigers 31-23 win over Notre Dame at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, November 4, 2023. His 166th career Clemson win as coach surpassed the previous record by late Coach Frank Howard. Swinney after the game said he carried a charm with his late father’s thumbprint, as he did for the 2015 win over Notre Dame.
(Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney after the game Oct 7, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; at Memorial Stadium. Clemson won 17-12.
(Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney runs on the field after running down the hill before the game with FSU Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; at Memorial Stadium.
(Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney raises the ACC trophy after the game with North Carolina in the ACC Championship football gameat Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina Saturday, Dec 3, 2022. Clemson won 39-10.
(Ken Ruinard / staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gets doused with sports drink in the closing second against North Carolina during the fourth quarter of the ACC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina Saturday, Dec 3, 2022.
(Ken Ruinard / staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney thanks fans and players after the game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022. Clemson won 41-10.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney hugs his son Will after the game at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, November 27, 2021. Clemson won 30-0.
(Ken Ruinard / staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney holds up the ACC Championship trophy after a 34-10 win the ACC Championship game Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
(Ken Ruinard, Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney poses for photo with quarterback Trevor Lawrence(16) during senior day ceremonies, before the game with Pittsburgh on Saturday, Nov 28, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
(Ken Ruinard, Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney and ACC Commissioner John Swofford during the trophy presentation after the ACC Championship game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.
(Ken Ruinard / staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson players soak head coach Dabo Swinney in the final moments of the ACC Championship game against Virginia at the Bank of America Stadium Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.
(JOSH MORGAN/Staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with the trophy after the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi’s Stadium.
(Mark Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney meet at midfield after the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, La. on Monday January 1, 2018.
(Mickey Welsh)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with linebacker T.J. Burrell (41) after wide receiver Adam Humphries (13) returned a Louisville punt 72 yards for a TD during the 1st quarter Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
(BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is kissed by his wife Kathleen after the Tigers defeated Oklahoma 40-6 in the Russell Athletic Bowl Monday, December 29, 2014 in Orlando, Fl.
(BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson fans celebrate with interim head coach Dabo Swinney after the Tigers defeated Boston College 27-21 Saturday, Nov. 1st, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Spiller was game MVP.
(BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff, Greenville News)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson’s Michael Hamlin (25), left, and Terrance Ashe (87) dunk interim head coach Dabo Swinney with Gator Aid during the closing minute of the Tigers 27-21 win over Boston College Saturday, Nov. 1st, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
(BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff, Greenville News)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson’s then-interim head coach Dabo Swinney is carried off the field by Thomas Austin (65), left, and Tyler Grisham (13) after the a 31-14 win over South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
(BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden share a laugh before the Tigers’ game against Boston College in 2019.
(KEN RUINARD / USA Today Sports)
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson football coach in 19th season has two national championships
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney rubs The Rock Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
(Bart Boatright/The Greenville News)
A guide on how Clemson is and isn’t pronounced wasn’t the only humorous addition to this week’s game notes.
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A breakdown of how to pronounce the name of Tigers coach Dabo Swinney is also included. According to the game notes, Swinney’s first name is pronounced “Dab-oh” and not “Daub-oh”, a reaction to ESPN2 commentators using the latter pronunciation several times during Clemson’s 18-13 win over Syracuse.
Swinney’s last name is pronounced “Swee-nee”, according to the guide.
Swinney will coach in his 250th game as Clemson’s head coach against Georgia Tech. Coincidentally, Swinney’s first game as the Tigers’ coach also came against the Yellow Jackets on Oct. 18, 2008, after he was promoted from wide receivers coach to interim head coach after Tommy Bowden’s resignation.
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Nick Coppola covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA Today Network. Email him at ncoppola@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @Nick_Coppola__ and like his Facebook page at Nick Coppola, Clemson Sports.
