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Winningest ACC football coaches: Clemson's Dabo Swinney poised to pass FSU's Bobby Bowden

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney can surpass Bobby Bowden for a historic feat on Saturday — and at the field named for the legendary Florida State coach, to boot.

When the No. 14 Tigers (3-1, 2-0 ACC) take on Florida State (1-4, 1-3 ACC) on Saturday at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, more than just an undefeated conference record will be at stake for Swinney and his Tigers. With another victory, Swinney could surpass Bowden as the winningest coach in ACC football history.

Bowden, who died Aug. 8, 2021, coached the Seminoles from 1976 to 2009, including from 1992 onward as a member of the ACC. Beginning with that 1992 season, Bowden led the Seminoles to 173 victories; Swinney earned his 173rd career win in Week 5 with a 40-14 win over Stanford, a newcomer to the conference, and now has a chance to surpass Bowden with a win against his Seminoles.

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Here's a look at Swinney's ACC record and the coaches with the most career wins in ACC history:

Dabo Swinney record at Clemson

Swinney was named the interim coach on Oct. 13, 2008, after Tommy Bowden ― Bobby Bowden's son ― resigned six games into the 2008 college football season. Swinney picked up his first win on Nov. 1, 2008, with a 27-21 victory over Boston College.

One week later, Swinney lost his first matchup against Bobby Bowden and No. 24 FSU in Tallahassee, Florida. The two coaches went head-to-head twice, with Swinney beating Bowden once, 40-24, in 2009.

Swinney has a 173-44 record with the Tigers in 17 seasons heading into their Week 6 game vs. the Seminoles. Bowden had a 173-53-1 record in 18 seasons with the Seminoles as an ACC program (FSU was independent until 1992). Bowden has 377 NCAA-recognized wins during his coaching career.

Here's a look at Swinney's career year-by-year record at Clemson:

  • 2008: 4-3

  • 2009: 9-5

  • 2010: 6-7

  • 2011: 10-4

  • 2012: 11-2

  • 2013: 11-2

  • 2014: 10-3

  • 2015: 14-1

  • 2016: 14-1

  • 2017: 12-2

  • 2018: 15-0

  • 2019: 14-1

  • 2020: 10-2

  • 2021: 10-3

  • 2022: 11-3

  • 2023: 9-4

  • 2024: 3-1*

  • Career record: 173-44

* Entering Week 6 matchup

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Winningest ACC football coaches

Here's a look at the top five coaches with the most career wins leading an ACC program:

  • T-1. Dabo Swinney, Clemson: 173-44 (2008-present)

  • T-1. Bobby Bowden, Florida State: 173-53-1 (1992-2009)

  • 3. George Walsh, Virginia: 134-86-3 (1982-2000)

  • 4. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: 113-47 (2004-15)

  • 5. Mack Brown, North Carolina: 110-75-1 (1988-97; 2019-present)

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Winningest ACC coach: Clemson's Dabo Swinney can pass Bobby Bowden