Division Atlantic Division AP No. 1 | Coaches No. 1 2016 record 14–1 (7–1 ACC) | |
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Head coach Dabo Swinney (8th full, 9th overall year) | ||
The 2016 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his eighth full year and ninth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley", and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers entered the 2016 season after a 14–1 record and as finalists in the CFP National Championship game for the 2015 season.
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After finishing the regular season 12-1 with a win over Coastal Division champion #23 Virginia Tech in the 2016 ACC Championship game, the #2 Tigers advanced to the 2016 College Football Playoff semifinal and went on to defeat the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes 31-0, in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2016. Both top ranked Clemson and Alabama met again in college football's first rematch in National Championship game history, the 2017 CFP National Championship game in Tampa, Florida. On January 9, 2017, the Clemson Tigers would go on to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the rematch by a score of 35 to 31, winning their first consensus National Football Championship since 1981. Clemson subsequently finished with #1 rankings in both the Associated Press Poll and the AFCA Coaches' Poll for the 2016 season.
Schedule
Clemson announced their schedule for the 2016 season on January 26, 2016. The Tigers' schedule consisted of 7 home games and 5 away games. Clemson hosted conference opponents Louisville, NC State, Syracuse, and Pitt and travel to Florida State, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech. The Tigers hosted out-of-conference opponents Troy, South Carolina State and South Carolina and travelled to out-of-conference opponent Auburn. Clemson's out-of-conference opponents represented the Sun Belt, MEAC, and SEC conferences, respectively.
Coaching Staff
Head coach Dabo Swinney added two new additions to the Tigers' coaching staff in late March 2016 with Mickey Conn and Kyle Richardson. Swinney hired former Grayson (GA) head coach Mickey Conn as a defensive analyst for the Tigers along with former Northwestern (SC) head coach Kyle Richardson, who will serve as the team's offensive analyst. Both coaches were extremely successful at their former high schools with a combined win/loss record of 195-61 and numerous championship titles.
South Carolina State
With Clemson leading 45–0 at halftime, both coaches agreed to shorten the second half by playing 12 minute quarters instead of the usual 15.
2017 NFL Draft
The 2017 NFL Draft will be held in Philadelphia on April 27 through April 29, 2017.
Awards and Honors
ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Ben Boulware
ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year - Dexter Lawrence
Paul "Bear" Bryant Award - Dabo Swinney
FBS Assistant of the Year - Dan Brooks
Broyles Award - Brent Venables
Johnny Unitas Award - Deshaun Watson
Davey O'Brien Award - Deshaun Watson
Bobby Bowden Award - Deshaun Watson
Manning Award - Deshaun Watson
Jack Lambert Trophy - Ben Boulware
Heisman Trophy finalist - Deshaun Watson (2nd)
All-Americans:
All-ACC: