With the conclusion of a very underwhelming 2025 season, Clemson football took a hard look in the mirror — it was time to make some changes.
On Monday, Clemson released third-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and longtime safety coach Mickey Conn.
“I have made the decision to make a change at offensive coordinator. This was a very difficult decision. These decisions are never easy, especially when you really love and care for the people that are involved, and I deeply love and care for Garrett Riley and his family. At the end of the day, we just did not get the production and the results that we needed, and I just feel like it is time for a change, and so we will be moving in a different direction with a new offensive coordinator,” head coach Dabo Swinney said.
The decision from Swinney to fire Riley triggered a buyout for Riley, who was set to make $3.5 million over the next two seasons. With the Tigers, Riley was the third-highest paid offensive coordinator in the country, behind only Utah’s Andy Ludwig and Notre Dame’s Mike Denbrock.
This year, Riley’s offense faltered. In 2024, the offense averaged 34.7 points per game, ranking No. 18 in the country. This season, that figure dropped by more than a touchdown, as the offense’s 27.2 points per game ranked Clemson at No. 70 in the country.
Swinney’s decision to fire Riley came just two days after a disappointing 22-10 loss to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl in New York, a fitting conclusion to a season defined by inconsistency. The loss left the Tigers at 7-6, their worst finish since 2010.
“Garrett is smart, he’s got great work ethic and he’s a great coach, but it just didn’t work like we both wanted. He’s got an amazing career ahead and he’ll be a great head coach in the future,” Swinney said.
Riley did not walk out alone, though. Just steps behind him was Conn, Clemson’s safeties coach since 2016.
“We will also have a change with the leadership of our safeties with the departure of Mickey Conn. Coach Conn is someone that I’ve known since 1990 and he truly is family to me. He has done an amazing job here at Clemson,” Swinney said.
Swinney’s staff changes are just the beginning of an uphill offseason. The transfer portal opens on Jan. 2.
