Tigers Today: Todd Bates explains decision to leave Clemson for Oklahoma

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Todd Bates explains decision to leave Clemson for Oklahoma

As Clemson reels from the news of Todd Bates’ departure to join Brent Venables in Oklahoma, the Tigers are left to figure out the next steps. Not only was Bates the defensive tackles coach, he was Clemson’s top recruiter and recently promoted to associate head coach.

Bates mentored three first-round draft picks and nine All-Americans during his time at Clemson and Jacksonville State. The Tigers have put together top-10 classes in the last three cycles and currently have the No. 4 overall class in the On3 consensus team rankings.

Dabo Swinney is now left to fill the huge void on his staff, while also piecing together why Bates decided to leave. Bates does get a bump in title with the move; he will be the co-defensive coordinator/run defense at Oklahoma.

In a statement released Tuesday, Bates provided an idea why he is leaving Clemson: his relationship with Brent Venables.

“Coach V and I have worked hand in hand. He’s more than a co-worker to me; I consider him a brother,” he said. “And when he got the job at OU, immediately I was interested in possibly joining him because I’ve learned so much from him, chiefly to ‘take pride in what you do and one day you’ll be proud of what you’ve done.’ I just look forward to rolling my sleeves up and going straight to work and building relationships. That’s what this profession is all about. It’s about the relationships you build with players and the lives you touch. I look forward to continuing that here with Coach V.”

More on Todd Bates leaving for Oklahoma and what it means for Clemson

When several Clemson assistants, including Todd Bates, received raises and promotions last month, it seemed that Clemson’s staff turnover for this offseason was complete. 

On Monday, Bates was named co-defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Oklahoma.

The loss is a big one for the Tigers as Bates was Clemson’s assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, in addition to his duties as defensive tackles coach. He recently received a pay increase from $515,000 per year to $715,000.

Clemson Sports senior writer Matt Connolly broke down what the move means for the Tigers and some possible candidates.

Andre Greene Jr., former commits talk decisions not to sign with Clemson

An inconsistent season and coaching changes hindered Clemson’s recruiting efforts down the stretch in December.

Even so, the Tigers signed a number of talented players during the Early Signing Period last month. According to the 2022 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings, Clemson has signed the No. 11 class, good for second in the ACC.

This class could have featured even more coveted players had it not been for a few misses in the past few weeks. The staff was unable to land a commitment from Andre Greene Jr., and saw IMG pledges Daylen Everette, Jihaad Campbell, and Keon Sabb depart from the class.

Clemson Sports caught up with Campbell, Greene Jr. and Sabb in Orlando during Under Armour All-American week to discuss what led to them heading elsewhere at the next level.

READ MORE: Andre Greene Jr., former commits talk decisions not to sign with Clemson