Three days after Clemson’s heartbreaking 46-45 defeat to Duke, head coach Dabo Swinney is still voicing his frustration regarding the officiating, particularly a troublesome pass interference call that factored into Duke’s game-winning drive. Swinney vehemently criticized the referees for what he termed ‘one of the worst calls’ he’s ever witnessed, pushing for systemic changes, including making officials full-time employees to ensure accountability.

• “Coaches get punished harshly. Players are held to high standards. Conversely, referees face no such scrutiny. They return home, unaffected by their decisions, leaving behind chaos that significantly impacts lives—coaches might even lose their jobs due to these flawed calls. The current system is in dire need of change.”

The ACC did not remain silent in response to Swinney’s remarks, issuing a public reprimand and penalizing Clemson $10,000 for breaching league policies.

Swinney went on to stress the necessity for public accountability: “There should be transparency in officiating. It can’t just be players and coaches subject to criticism; referees should also be held accountable,” highlighting issues regarding gambling and player suspensions prevalent in the game.

His latest public objections came during his third media appearance this week following the loss, where his steadfast position on the need for reform in officiating was once again clear.