Overview
Tracing the thrilling hot streak of South Carolina's favorite team
When Dabo Swinney officially took over Clemson football for the 2009 season, it was considered a good program that couldn't quite recapture the greatness of the Danny Ford era. Dabo had spent his entire life as an underdog, but his defiant grit pushed him past personal hardships and professional adversity. His simple formula—faith, family, forgiveness, fortitude, and fun—pushed the Clemson football program past its potential and to the next level, taking the Tigers to 10 bowl games and four ACC championships, earning three College Football Playoff appearances, and most importantly, capturing the 2016 national championship. In Top of the Hill: Dabo Swinney and Clemson's Rise to College Football Greatness, Greenville News sports columnist and Clemson insider Manie Robinson traces Dabo's coaching ascension along Clemson football's return to glory, going behind the scenes of one of the powerhouse programs in the country.
Author Biography
Manie Robinson covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News, joining the paper in 2005. This is his first book.Tajh Boyd was Clemson's starting quarterback from 2011 to 2013. He was the ACC Player of the Year in 2012 and finished his career with school and conference records for passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Press Releases
Top of the Hill
Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s Rise to College Football Greatness
By Manie Robinson
Contact: Sam Ofman, Triumph Books, 312.568.5450,
sofman@ipgbook.com
Since 1896, the Clemson Tigers have left the field as winners more than 725 times. That’s a remarkable history of success for a football program. What’s even more remarkable is that more than 100 of those victories came in the last decade alone. The Clemson faithful owe their thanks to one man: Dabo Swinney.
In Top of the Hill: Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s Rise to College Football Greatness (Triumph Books, Oct 23, 2018), Manie Robinson of the Greenville News explores the recent resurgence of Tigers football and the impact of one of the sport’s most esteemed coaches. Utilizing his insider access, Robinson offers keen insights and entertaining anecdotes from the biggest personalities surrounding Clemson football. From Dabo’s early seasons with the team to the recent success in the College Football Playoff era, this great new title covers the entire spectrum of Tigers football. Highlights include:
- Growing up in Pelham, Alabama and how William Christopher Swinney came to be known as Dabo
- How Swinney took over as Head Coach, and insights on the “all in” mentality be brought to the culture of the program
- 4th and 16 – The play that helped Clemson take the 2012 Chick-Fil-A Bowl and jumpstarted an era of success
- Winning the 2016 College Football Playoff, and how Swinney built a program destined to return to the biggest stage in the sport
Top of the Hill does justice to its subject, allowing Swinney’s tenets of faith, family, forgiveness, fortitude and fun to shine through quality reporting and engaging storytelling. Robinson brings an authoritative voice to the story of the Tigers’ resurgence, combining a professional knowledge with the passion of a diehard fan. Clemson fans of all stripes will find value in the pages of this great new title.
About the Author:
Manie Robinson covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News, joining the paper in 2005. This is his first book.
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