Hunter Renfrow, a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and former Clemson player, was visited by his college coach Dabo Swinney during Monday’s training camp in Charlotte. Despite Renfrow’s experience as a six-year NFL veteran and Pro Bowler, Swinney continued to offer coaching advice.
“Oh yeah, I’ve been coaching Hunter a long time, so that’s just kind of that,” said Swinney during practice. After Renfrow finished his one-on-one drills—where he performed well but received a penalty for a push-off—he met with Swinney for feedback. “We were just talking about some of those one-on-ones, talking about some releases and a couple of little technical aspects,” Swinney added.
Renfrow responded with humor: “Coach Swinney has all the answers.”
Swinney described their relationship as going beyond football. “Hunter’s more than just a kid I coach,” he said. “He’s—my oldest son and him are best of friends, in each other’s weddings—so I’ve spent a lot of family time. We vacation together every year, and we’re close, much more than just a coach-player relationship.
“I’ve known the Renfrow family forever, when Hunter was just a little bitty guy coming up.”
This connection helped support Renfrow through health challenges over the past year. He struggled with ulcerative colitis and considered retiring from football before ultimately deciding to sit out for only one season.
“He really didn’t know how to deal with what he was dealing with,” said Swinney. “And you know, a lot of times football people are our worst enemy, and you just try to, ‘Well, I’ll just push through it, right?’
“And it just affected him and, but he really was done…and he took this last year and he really got healthy and just got back to work because I think he was wise and not making a final decision until he could get himself in a better state of mind like health wise where he could really feel like he could be confident in making decisions, because he had teams trying to sign him last year.
“And he just said no, I’m just, I’m not going to do it.”
During his recovery period away from football, Renfrow spent significant time around Clemson University. According to Swinney, this environment helped renew his enthusiasm for the game.
“He just kind of started to feel a little better and, obviously, he loves this part of the country.”
Eventually expressing interest in playing again locally with the Panthers organization based in Charlotte (https://www.panthers.com/), Renfrow shared his intentions with his coach: “Well, I’m just going to play for the Panthers.” To which Swinney replied jokingly: “Well, I don’t know that it’s going to work like that Hunter; you don’t just get to do that.”
Swinney acknowledged things did eventually fall into place: “But here he is; somehow it’s worked out…. I knew he had more football in him; it’s fun to see him happy and just healthy; he’ll do the rest. I know he doesn’t look the part but he puts on a helmet on and turns into Superman.”
After missing last season due to illness management (ulcerative colitis), Renfrow returned quickly during OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and minicamp sessions before entering full training camp preparation this summer.
Swinnery explained what makes Renfrow valuable on offense: “He gets open and catches it… He makes plays; understands leverage… route running… break points… set things up… play with hands at full speed…
“And you know he’s got elite change of direction… He’s not very big but plays like he’s 6-3…. he’s crafty… ability separate… hard find that…
“He can do many things help football team… that’s all think looking for is chance get back help team somehow some way.”
