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andrea adelson
CLEMSON Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and safeties coach Mickey Conn will not return next season, coach Dabo Swinney announced Monday.
Riley, who had two years remaining on his contract, was hired to help reenergize the Tigers’ stagnant offense in 2023. But in three seasons, Clemson produced inconsistent results. quarterback cad klubnik Major strides were made in leading Clemson to the College Football Playoff a year ago, but the offense did not perform up to its standard in 2025 as the Tigers struggled to run the ball consistently and the passing game could not get going. Clemson ranked 62nd nationally in total offense with an average of 392.2 yards.
Throughout the season, Swinney had made sharp comments about Riley and the offense, stating several times that he wanted to see Riley do a better job of providing help for Klubnik and stopping the offense.
Riley was Clemson’s first outside hire as offensive coordinator since Chad Morris in 2011, and his arrival was widely announced after the Tigers offense took a step back under former coordinator Brandon Streater and quarterbacks. DJ UiagaleleiBut, as Swinney said in a statement, “It didn’t work out the way we both wanted,”
“At the end of the day, we didn’t get the production and results that we needed, and I just feel like it’s time for a change, and so we’ll be moving in a different direction with a new offensive coordinator,” Swinney said. “Garrett is smart, has a great work ethic and is a great coach, but it didn’t work out the way we both wanted. He’s had an amazing career and will be a great head coach in the future.”
Conn had been on the Clemson staff since 2016.
“I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for him to go out and call defense and take the next step in his career,” Swinney said. “I am excited by the plan we have created for our secondary and our defensive staff, and I look forward to identifying the right leader for our offense to help achieve our goals for 2026 and beyond.”
The Tigers’ season ended at 7–6 with a 22–10 loss to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday.
