Dabo Swinney admits, when his Clemson team lost to Alabama in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, he was angry.
The Tigers lost to Alabama, 45-40, thank primarily to two special teams plays – a surprised onside kick by Alabama and later giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown.
“I was angry after that 2015 game. I was angry that year. I was disappointed,” Swinney said.
Clemson used that anger the next year as motivation, as they went back to the title game and this time defeated the Crimson Tide in the 2017 CFP National Championship.