This week, Clemson Tigers football fans become the latest to experience the wonders of the ACC’s deal with Nexstar to air games on The CW. 53-year-old head coach Dabo Swinney is just as clueless as many of his fans about where to watch the program’s clash with North Carolina State.
Asked by a reporter for his thoughts on Clemson’s first ride through The CW on Tuesday, Swinney had no answers.
“I have no idea what it is,” Swinney declared. “I don’t even know where it’s at.
“Is it… is it — where do I go to it?”
A fellow reporter helped Swinney out by letting him know it was channel 62 in the Clemson market. But that wasn’t quite enough.
“Where is it on the guide on DirecTV? Oh, that’s where it’s at? 62. Alright.”
Swinney then elaborated on what had already become quite obvious regarding his viewing habits.
“I don’t watch a lot of TV, honestly,” Swinney explained. “I don’t even know who’s doing the game.”
Once he heard who the broadcasters were, Swinney brought the whole thing full circle.
“We haven’t even had them yet,” the coach said.
Correct, Dabo. That was the original point of the question.
Look, a head football coach gets a lot thrown his way in press conferences over the course of the season. They have to keep it light and help the reporters do their job.
Still, 53 isn’t old enough to be this lost with television channels. And while Swinney may be in good company with coaches and media members who have no idea what’s going on with game broadcasts, that doesn’t make it any less funny.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.