Dabo Swinney is in his 19th season as Clemson head coach, while Lane Kiffin is in his first season as LSU head coach.
This has been Swinney’s only stop so far as an FBS head coach. Kiffin was previously head coach at the college level at Tennessee in 2009, USC from 2010-2013, Florida Atlantic from 2017-2019, and Ole Miss from 2020-2025.
Which coach has a better record, more wins, and more championships at their current school and over their careers?
Head-To-Head Record
Swinney and Kiffin have never faced off as head coaches. Clemson plays against LSU to begin the 2026 season, which will mark the first time these two head coaches will match up.
Career Win-Loss Analysis
Dabo Swinney has more career wins as a head coach. Swinney is 187-53 (.779) overall. Lane Kiffin is 116-53 (.686) overall.
Swinney led Clemson to seven wins (7-6) last year, including 4-4 in the ACC. Kiffin led Ole Miss to 13 wins (13-2), including 7-1 in the SEC.
Annual Record Breakdown & Winning Percentages
| YEAR | SWINNEY | KIFFIN |
| 2025 | 7-6 (.538) | 11-1 (.971) – Ole Miss |
| 2024 | 10-4 (.714) | 10-3 (.769) – Ole Miss |
| 2023 | 9-4 (.692) | 11-2 (.846) – Ole Miss |
| 2022 | 11-3 (.786) | 8-5 (.615) – Ole Miss |
| 2021 | 10-3 (.769) | 10-3 (.769) – Ole Miss |
| 2020 | 10-2 (.833) | 5-5 (.500) – Ole Miss |
| 2019 | 14-1 (.933) | 10-3 (.769) – FAU |
| 2018 | 15-0 (1.000) | 5-7 (.417) – FAU |
| 2017 | 12-2 (.857) | 11-3 (.786) – FAU |
| 2016 | 14-1 (.933) | – |
| 2015 | 14-1 (.933) | – |
| 2014 | 10-3 (.769) | – |
| 2013 | 11-2 (.846) | 3-2 (.600) – USC |
| 2012 | 11-2 (.846) | 7-6 (.538) – USC |
| 2011 | 10-4 (.714) | 10-2 (.833) – USC |
| 2010 | 6-7 (.462) | 8-5 (.615) – USC |
| 2009 | 9-5 (.643) | 7-6 (.538) – Tennessee |
| 2008 | 4-3 (.571) | – |
Postseason & Championship Results
Swinney has 12 bowl wins, nine conference championships, and two national championships in his career.
Kiffin has four bowl wins, two conference championships (C-USA), and zero national championships in his career.
Recruiting Rankings: Swinney vs. Kiffin
Here’s the year-by-year team recruiting rankings (247Sports) for each coach:
| YEAR | SWINNEY | KIFFIN |
| 2026 | 20th | 11th (LSU) |
| 2025 | 26th | 16th (Ole Miss) |
| 2024 | 11th | 21st (Ole Miss) |
| 2023 | 11th | 24th (Ole Miss) |
| 2022 | 10th | 26th (Ole Miss) |
| 2021 | 5th | 17th (Ole Miss) |
| 2020 | 3rd | 35th (Ole Miss) |
| 2019 | 10th | 61st (Florida Atlantic) |
| 2018 | 7th | 75th (Florida Atlantic) |
| 2017 | 16th | 60th (Florida Atlantic) |
| 2016 | 11th | – |
| 2015 | 9th | – |
| 2014 | 16th | – |
| 2013 | 15th | 13th (USC) |
| 2012 | 20th | 8th (USC) |
| 2011 | 10th | 3rd (USC) |
| 2010 | 27th | 3rd (USC) |
| 2009 | 36th | 8th (Tennessee) |
| 2008 | 9th | – |
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