Clemson names new assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator

CLEMSON — After a wild offseason with plenty of turnover, Dabo Swinney’s staff is now set.

The Clemson Board of Trustees finalized new deals for Clemson’s assistant football coaches on Wednesday.

No new on-field assistants were added, but two coaches moved into new roles.

Cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator Mike Reed added the title of assistant head coach and received a raise from $700,000 to $750,000.

Reed replaces Todd Bates as Dabo Swinney’s assistant head coach. Bates held that title for less than a month before leaving to join Brent Venables at Oklahoma.

Clemson also named Tyler Grisham its recruiting coordinator, adding that title, in addition to his role as Clemson’s receivers coach.

Grisham received a salary increase from $300,000 to $450,000.

The Board of Trustees also approved Thomas Austin’s contract as offensive line coach. Austin is replacing Robbie Caldwell, who is moving to an off-field role. Austin will make $450,000 per year.

“Thomas Austin has moved in as our offensive line coach. It’s something that we knew was going to happen at some point, and it was one of the main reasons I brought him back from Georgia State,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement. “He’s been incredibly well-groomed and well-prepared and he’s going to do a fantastic job with that offensive line along with Brandon Thomas, who has come in to be our on-field graduate assistant coach.”

Clemson’s other on-field assistants who didn’t receive raises in December also received salary increases.

Defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall is now making $625,000 per year after previously making $500,000. And CJ Spiller’s salary was bumped from $300,000 to $450,000.

“Obviously we’ve had a lot of transition this year, and it’s exciting in two ways. I’m excited for those on the staff that had opportunities to go lead programs or maybe step up with some promotion opportunities, but I’m super excited about the opportunity to bring some new people in here and also promote people within our program,” Swinney said.

“We’ve got a great staff. It’s going to be fun to start fresh with this group and attack spring practice and our offseason program. We’ve got a lot of great energy. It’s fun to be settled and have everybody in their new roles. We do have new people but also new opportunities within our staff that everyone is excited about.”