Dabo Swinney Wife: Kathleen Bassett Career & Net Worth

Like the saying, “Behind every successful man is a woman.” Kathleen Bassett plays a significant role in her husband’s successful career. 

Kathleen Bassett, better known as Kathleen Swinney, is an American philanthropist and former teacher married to William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney, an American football coach.

Swinney is Clemson University’s head football coach. Swinney then took over as head coach of the Clemson Tigers football program after Tommy Bowden resigned in the 2008 season.

Similarly, in 2016 and 2018, Swinney guided the Tigers to national titles. Likewise, he is second only to Frank Howard in Clemson history in terms of victories by a head coach.

On the other hand, Kathleen isn’t your average famous wife; she is called the “First Lady of Clemson football” for her unwavering support for the squad and their families.

Let’s know more about the active Philanthropist, Kathleen Bassett, starting with some interesting quick facts.

Kathleen Bassett: Quick Facts

Kathleen Bassett: Early Life and Education

Kathleen Bassett, better known as Kathleen Swinney, was born on March 27, 1971, to Jeffrey and Bette Bassett in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States.

She had two sisters, Ann Cicero and Lisa Lamb, and a brother, Daniel Bassett when she was growing up.

Similarly, Kathleen spent the most of her adolescence in Alabama. She attended the ‘Pelham High School’ and was one of the school’s brightest pupils.

Likewise, she became a School Safety Patrol squad member when she was in fourth grade.

In addition, Kathleen was also a member of the student council. Kathleen was then picked as the school’s football team’s cheerleader.

She subsequently attended Riverchase Middle School before transferring to Pelham High School.

Similar to her previous interest, she was again a member of the high school cheering squad.

Later, Kathleen went to the University of Alabama to get her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Similarly, her husband Dabo earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the same institution.

Kathleen Bassett: Professional Career

As the wife of Clemson Football Team head coach Dabo Swinney, Kathleen Bassett is used to being in the limelight.

She does, however, have her own professional life and accomplishments. In reality, Bassett has decided to pursue a career as a teacher.

As a teacher at an Alabama primary school, an elementary education graduate indulged. Meanwhile, she worked at Shelton State Community College on night shifts.

Although Bassett had to leave her teaching job following her pregnancy, it was optimistic since it allowed her to pursue her passion for philanthropy.

Click here to know about the 10 Best Pinball Machines to Buy for Ultimate Fun >>>

Kathleen Bassett & Cancer

Lisa Lamb, Kathleen’s sister, has been well-known for her battle with breast cancer since 2002.

Despite being certified cancer-free in 2003, the illness reappeared in 2009. However, by that time, it had spread to Lisa’s brain and lungs.

Lisa died in April 2011 after a protracted fight with the illness. Later, after consulting with a genetic counselor, Kathleen Bassett discovered that she and her other sister, Ann, had a 90% probability of developing cancer later in life.

Thus, Kathleen underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.

She had a hysterectomy after a few years to minimize her chances of developing ovarian cancer.

Kathleen Bassett: Social Works 

Kathleen Bassett has been a part of several cancer awareness campaigns. Similarly, she devotes the most of her time to charitable work for people living with cancer and raising awareness about the disease.

She has personal experience with cancer, having lost her sister Lisa Lamb to the disease, so she understands how illness can affect victims and their families.

Likewise, Kathleen also volunteers for several cancer-related charitable projects.

Similarly, her husband also manages the ‘All In Team Foundation,’ a Clemson Sports Community project.

The primary goal of the foundation is to raise cash for breast cancer research and treatment.

She also spoke as the honorary speaker at the ‘Benevolent Spirit Award,’ sharing her experience of overcoming breast cancer.

Kathleen Bassett: Philanthropic Work

Kathleen Bassett and her husband, Dabo, also contributed $1 million to Clemson University in 2016 as part of the ‘IPTAY’ program. The program focused on football-related construction projects.

Similarly, she sponsored a new ‘Habitat For Humanity’ house for a six-member impoverished family in Liberty in August.

The home was built with funding from the ‘Dabo’s All-With Team Foundation,’ and Kathleen assisted in the finishing touches and decorating.

Likewise, their foundation made a $72,000 donation to the ‘Habitat For Humanity’ project, making it the first fully financed project in Pickens County.

Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a central heating system were all planned for the house.

Kathleen also worked with Lexie Vick, their foundation’s marketing and communications coordinator, and Dabo’s brother Tripp to make the initiative a success.

Who is Kathleen Bassett’s Husband?

The head coach of Clemson University, William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney, is the husband of the beautiful Kathleen Bassett. 

He attended the University of Alabama and even played football there. Similarly, he began his football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide as a walk-on wide receiver in 1989 and received a scholarship the following year.

A glimpse into Dabo’s Career

After finishing his studies, William became a full-time coach with the Crimson Tide. He was in charge of the wide receivers and tight ends for the team.

Unfortunately, the squad fired then-head coach Mike DuBose and his backroom staff in 2001. He sat out the whole 2001 season, with no coaching duties.

Similarly, his previous instructor, Rich Wingo, offered him a position with Birmingham-based AIG Baker Real Estate. He accepted the job offer and stayed for two years.

Likewise, Tommy Bowden also offered him a position as an assistant coach at Clemson University in 2003.

Finally, in 2008, Swinney made his coaching debut. This happened when Tommy Bowden resigned after six games.

Dabo was appointed as an interim coach, and despite taking over while the club was in ninth place, the team performed admirably, going 3-3 in his first six games.

Due to his excellent recruiting talents, Dabo was subsequently named the team’s head coach.

Swinney has led Clemson to several trophies and accolades throughout his tenure as head coach.

He was named the AFCA Coach of the Year, AP College Football Coach, and Home Depot Coach of the Year in 2015.

Similarly, in 2016 and 2018, he won two National Championships. He has also won five ACC Championships along with the George Munger Award. 

How did the couple meet?

Kathleen and Dabo met in the first grade at Pelham, Alabama’s ‘Valley Elementary School,’ where Kathleen was in the first grade, and Dabo was in the second.

Similarly, Kathleen and Dabo had been friends since they were seven years old. As they grew up together, Dabo and Kathleen were members of their school’s safety patrol and student council.

Likewise, Dabo invited her to dance with him at a school dance event, and that was her first actual date with him. They did a slow dance that day, she recalls.

They remained friends throughout their time at ‘Riverchase Middle School’ and ‘Pelham High School,’ where Dabo excelled in various sports.’

After that, they both received their degrees from the ‘University of Alabama.’ Dabo planned to become a coach after completing his MBA.

Similarly, later Dabo kneeled on his knees and proposed to Kathleen, and they tied their knot on July 9, 1994. 

Dabo was born to an alcoholic father and a divorced mother when he was 16 years old.

Due to this, he found himself moving from one house to the next; at times, he’d reside with a buddy, and when no one invited him to their home.

Similarly, Dabo would also crash at the coach’s place. During such a difficult time, Kathleen was the one who walked with him the entire journey.

Click here to know about Ronda Rousey’s Husband, Travis Browne’s Career & Life >>>

Kathleen Bassett: Children 

Aside from being a wonderful wife to her husband, Kathleen Bassett is also a supportive and loving mother. 

Kathleen and Dabo are parents to three lovely sons. Will, Drew, and Clay Swinney, the couple’s three grown kids, are all football players at their respective schools.

Similarly, the oldest among the three sons is Will Swinney. He was born in Clemson, South Carolina, in the year 1998.

He attended Daniel High School and was a standout wide receiver for his high school football team. 

Later, Will Swinney was a walk-on for Clemson University’s football team in 2017.

Likewise, joining the Clemson Tigers is a childhood dream come true for Swinney, who has long admired the Tigers.

Drew Swinney, her second son, was born on January 23, 2000, and is a marketing major at Clemson University, where he also plays wide receiver.

Clay, born on July 29, 2003, graduated from Daniel High School with his brothers Drew and Will.

Kathleen remains in touch with all of the ‘Clemson’ squad players and their families.

Similarly, their entire family is very involved with the ‘Clemson’ football team. As a result, the media has dubbed the “first lady of Clemson football.”

Kathleen Bassett: Net Worth 

Kathleen Bassett, an American philanthropist, is having her net worth assessed.

On the other hand, her spouse Dabo has a net worth of about $20 million, which she shares.

Bassett must be making a good living as a philanthropist because she works for a good cause. Similarly, on the plus side, she is assisting tens of thousands of people living with cancer.

Social Media

Unlike many people today, Kathleen Bassett tries not to engage herself in the social media world. 

Sadly, she does not have an Instagram or Twitter accounts, which gives us the idea that she is a private person.

However, she does get featured often in her husband, Dabo Swinney’s Instagram posts. 

FAQs

What is Dabo short for?

“Dabo” is just a misspelling of the phrase “that boy.” Swinney’s elder brother Tripp began referring to him as “that boy” when he was a newborn.