Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney stated Tuesday that he has not yet received a response from the NCAA regarding tampering allegations he made in January against Ole Miss coach Pete Golding. The allegations concern linebacker Luke Ferrelli, who initially committed to Clemson University before transferring to Ole Miss.
Ferrelli, who played for California last season, entered the transfer portal on January 2 and committed to Clemson four days later. Coach Swinney confirmed that Ferrelli enrolled, began classes, and participated in team meetings and workouts at Clemson University.
During a news conference in January, Coach Swinney alleged that Coach Golding maintained contact with Ferrelli after the linebacker had enrolled at Clemson. Swinney claimed Golding sent a text message asking about Ferrelli’s buyout, despite his enrollment at Clemson. Ferrelli subsequently re-entered the transfer portal on January 22 and committed to Ole Miss.
When asked about the situation on Tuesday, Coach Swinney reiterated that the events he described were true and not fabricated. He expressed no frustration, stating his focus is on winning the upcoming game. An NCAA spokeswoman indicated on Wednesday that the organization typically does not comment on ongoing, pending, or potential investigations.
Coach Swinney had previously stated on January 23 that he submitted evidence to the NCAA regarding what he considered a clear case of tampering. At that time, NCAA vice president of enforcement Jon Duncan affirmed that the organization would investigate credible allegations of tampering and expected full cooperation.
In April, Coach Golding addressed the matter publicly for the first time, noting there are two sides to every story. He explained that LSU had contacted Ferrelli when he first entered the transfer portal, but a position was not available then. Golding said the opportunity arose when TJ Dottery departed Ole Miss for LSU, making a spot available for Ferrelli.
Coach Swinney has been a vocal proponent for changes and accountability regarding tampering in college football. At the Atlantic Coast Conference football media days on July 17 in Charlotte, he described tampering as rampant and suggested that congressional assistance might be necessary to establish order and consequences, or to acknowledge the current landscape as the wild, wild West.
