According to a letter of complaint to Clemson, the Freedom From Religion Foundation claims coach Dabo Swinney has violated the separation of church and state by arranging by Bible studies and devotionals, and distributing Bibles and other religious materials to players.

The foundation said it submitted an open records request in February to obtain emails and information from Clemson illustrating the connection between football and religion.

"What we have observed in the records is that the football coaching staff is doing a number of things to promote Christianity to their student-athletes," foundation staff attorney Patrick Elliott said.

"While student-athletes can pray, conduct Bible studies and engage in religious activities, the coaching staff, as public employees, should not be doing that with their student athletes.