Venables and Swinney staying put amidst rumors

With coaching jobs opening up all over the country—13 and counting as of Tuesday—names of potential candidates are beginning to fill the ears of fans and coaches alike. However, there are two coaches at Clemson who are very happy where they are at. Those coaches happen to be Dabo Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Amidst rivalry week talk Venables was asked Tuesday if he had any interest in any of the jobs that his name had been mentioned in,-- Venables was having none of that conversation.

"My focus is on us. I really have no comment," Venables said Tuesday. "I am not interested in any other jobs. I have a great job and I love what I am doing and I love where we are at. I love who I am working for. And like Coach (Dabo) Swinney has said multiple times, ‘I think we are just getting started.' That's really kind of my thoughts.

The defensive coordinator has led to a resurgence of the Tigers as a dominant defensive force last season that saw the Tigers become the nations No. 1 defense while ranking. That defense led the nation in pass efficiency defense (98.3), first downs allowed (185), third-down conversion percentage defense (27.4) and tackles for loss (131), while being in the top five in many other statistical categories. He also coached linebacker Stephone Anthony, who was a Butkus Award semifinalist and First-Team All-ACC selection.

This years version of the Tiger defense has been, arguably, just as dominant against a tougher schedule and is a major reason the Tigers are currently ranked No. 1 in all three polls (AP, Coaches, and College Football Playoff).

"I have a great job. Today, I have a great job. I'm hoping I have it tomorrow," Venables continued. "I don't think like that. You deal with things as they come and as they are put in front of you. I have always been a believer that you are a week away from humility in this profession, and value what you have and take advantage of the opportunities that you have now."

Head coach Dabo Swinney took great exception to being asked about whether or not the Clemson job was more than a stepping stone to bigger and better jobs on Tuesday during his weekly press conference.

"This is a great job. I think it's sad that you would even ask that question—but that's the world we live in. Because anybody can say anything at any time or all that stuff," Swinney said. "We're number one in the nation so this is a pretty good job."