He was 19-15 overall his first 2 and half years.
He was 1-2 in bowl games.
He went 6-7 in 2010, and many were saying he had 1 year to turn it around or he was going to be out. They ended 2010 with a blowout loss to rival South Carolina, and then embarrassing loss to an average USF team in the tire bowl.(I was there, stadium was empty even though it was close to Clemson). There was no excitement around the program.
He then made tough decisions, and got the administration full on board
Somehow with all that adversity Clemson Locked up Sammy watkins after that 6-7 season to the point he wouldn’t even field calls from Miami and UF. Then they gave Dabo over a million to go hire Chad Morris to be OC. Clemson with a Sammy Watkins exploding on the scene and with Chad Morris changing the offense went 10-4 in 2011 winning ACC. They got blown out by wVU in bowl game allowing 70 points.( I was there).
Clemson nation was disgusted with the defense, so Dabo fires Kevin Steele. He then got over a million to go hire Brent Venables. Clemson became first program with million dollar coordinators on both sides.
Then they were able to sign Deshaun Watson from about hour away in Gainesville, GA. Rest is history.