Why do Alabama football fans like Dabo Swinney?

Dabo Swinney is probably the 3rd “most liked” head football coach by Alabama fans behind Nick Saban and Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Why?

As a native of Pelham, Alabama, and a former football player, coach and graduate at the Capstone, Swinney has much to like for a fan of the Crimson Tide.

So, while you watch the game tonight, here are a few interesting biographical tidbits you can share at the local watch party or with family and friends about Dabo Swinney.

• His name: According Swinney’s wikipedia entry his nickname Dabo was given to him as an infant by his parents when his then-18-month-old brother would try to enunciate “that boy” when referring to Swinney.(1)
• Pelham High School‘s most famous University of Alabama Football alums are Dabo Swinney and quarterback Tyler Watts. (2)
• Swinney played for the 1992 Alabama National Championship team. (3)
• In December 1995, Swinney received his MBA from Alabama. (4)
• Swinney was twice named an Academic All-SEC and SEC Scholar Athlete Honor Roll member. (5)
• Swinney stopped coaching for nearly two years (2001-2003) to  work in real estate development. (6)
• If Swinney’s Clemson Tigers win tonight, he will join Paul “Bear” Bryant, Bud Wilkinson, Frank Leahy and Jimmy Johnson as the only men to win national championships both as a player and as a coach at the Football Bowl Subdivision. (7)

Sources:  Wikipedia  (1, 4, 5), al.com (2), Independent Mail (3,7),  Footballscoop.com (6)

You can now see why Alabama football fans like Swinney.  We can imagine that will change for about 4 hours tonight during the biggest game of the year.

Want to share this info with friends and family about Clemson’s Head Coach Dabo Swinney at a Watch Party tonight? Check out Bham Now’s Watch Party list:

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