Dabo Swinney says he told Tony Elliott to take UVA job: ‘Virginia is the right fit for him’

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said on Wednesday that he encouraged former Tigers offensive coordinator Tony Elliott to take the Virginia job this offseason.

Elliott, who has interviewed for numerous head coach jobs in the past, had been on Clemson’s staff since 2011.

“I told him he needs to take the job,” Swinney said on Wednesday. “I told him this is the right one. Virginia is the right fit for him.”

Elliott is taking over a solid program that maintained an elite offense under former coach Bronco Mendenhall. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong is back in the fold for 2022, so the Cavaliers’ attack should be one of the best in the ACC again this season.

For Clemson, the timing of Elliott leaving the program made sense. The Tigers stagnated last year with a 10-3 season — the most losses its had in a single campaign since 2014.

Swinney chose to promote Brandon Streeter to fill Elliott’s spot. Streeter has been with the program since 2015 and also played for the Tigers from 1995-99. However, he doesn’t have any prior play-calling experience.

Still, Clemson’s offense is expected to take a step forward this season. The Tigers’ offensive line returns the majority of its snaps from a season ago and running back Will Shipley is seemingly prepared for a bigger role

. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei should also be taking a step forward in 2022.

Clemson opens the 2022 season with Georgia Tech on Sept. 5.