Clemson’s Swinney admits he’s a twitter quitter

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney admits he’s a twitter quitter.

Swinney said he joined the popular social media site Twitter in 2009 but gave it up shortly after that. He does, however, understand the site’s importance in recruiting.

“I’m not really interested in having a bunch of followers or whatever,” Swinney said. “I’m kind of old school with modern ways, if you will. I still actually like to talk to people on the phone. I still do snail mail, email, all those type of things. Certainly it’s a huge part of our program, social media.”

Thanks, Tommy

Former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, who hired Swinney as an assistant before Swinney was promoted to head coach in 2008, was in Pinehurst as a member of the media this week. Bowden works with the ACC Network as an analyst.

“I’m very much indebted to Tommy Bowden,” Swinney said. “He’s as good as it gets as far as a person. I’m not sure he’s quite all into this media stuff, but he’s getting better. I think he’s getting more entrenched.”

Lakip update

Swinney said Tuesday that suspended kicker Ammon Lakip will definitely miss some games in 2015 – if he completes a process that could allow him to rejoin the team as early as Aug. 19.

Swinney, who wouldn’t put a number on those games yet, said last Wednesday that Lakip, who was suspended in June for an arrest for DUI refusal and cocaine possession, will not be with the team in fall camp. He laid out more of his plan for Lakip at ACC Kickoff. Lakip must complete legal responsibilities, handle things with his family, complete community service and then deal with team discipline. Lakip is currently working through that process.

“Ball is kind of in his court at this point,” Swinney said. “That’s one of the reasons I didn’t want him in camp. It needs to be about the guys who are going to have a chance to be our starter. If he does everything that he’s required to do then he'll get an opportunity to rejoin our team, but he’s going to have to start over and earn it.”

Tigers across the pond?

The ACC is expanding its reach with a conference game in Ireland next season between Boston College and Georgia Tech. Swinney said he “loved” the idea of taking his team to Europe one day and is envious that Clemson basketball coach Brad Brownell gets to play tournaments in exotic locations.

Swinney said even when he takes his players to Lake Keowee it’s a big experience for many of them.

“Some of these guys have never seen the mountains or the lake and things like that,” Swinney said. “I can only imagine what it would be like to take your team to a place like Ireland.”

A game in a foreign country would likely not come at the expense of a Clemson home game, so it would have to be another team approaching the Tigers with a proposal.