The Clemson Tigers' football program is buzzing with uncertainty—coaches are packing their bags, and a pivotal staff role remains up in the air. But here's where it gets intriguing: how will head coach Dabo Swinney navigate this whirlwind of changes to keep his team competitive? Stick around, because the details might surprise you and challenge what you think you know about college football strategy.
CLEMSON — The past week has been a whirlwind of activity in the football offices at Clemson's Allen Reeves Football Complex, where decisions are shaping the future of the program.
Head coach Dabo Swinney has been deeply involved, holding group sessions with his team and coaching staff, along with one-on-one chats with individual players. With so many elements shifting at once, our team at The Clemson Insider has worked tirelessly through reliable sources to bring you the freshest updates possible.
Let's dive into the most recent developments on Swinney's coaching team.
As we shared earlier in the week, anticipate more Clemson coaches heading to Samford alongside John Grass. On Thursday, we verified that assistant coach Mickey Conn will indeed make the move to Birmingham with him, and whispers suggest others might follow suit in the coming days.
Building on those earlier insights, we reported on Wednesday that Swinney is actively exploring options for a new offensive coordinator, given that Garrett Riley won't be returning for the 2026 season—even though this hasn't been formally declared, and it could change if Riley departs independently for another opportunity.
In any field—whether it's business, sports, or another organization—it's standard procedure when contemplating a significant shift to begin compiling a shortlist of potential candidates ahead of time, even if the actual change hasn't occurred yet. This approach also helps test the waters and see if those individuals are open to discussions. For instance, think of it like a company updating its leadership team; they might quietly scout talent before announcing any vacancies to ensure they're prepared.
In our Wednesday update (available here: https://www.theclemsoninsider.com/2025/12/03/wednesday-night-coaching-change-update/), we revealed that Clemson had shown interest in a sitting ACC offensive coordinator. Through strong sourcing, we can now confirm with confidence that the coach in question was Buster Faulkner, the former Georgia Tech offensive coordinator.
As noted before, timing was everything for the Tigers, because a rival SEC program was also pursuing him as their primary choice. And, as it turned out, Faulkner accepted the role as Florida's new offensive coordinator just yesterday.
But here's the part most people miss: It's entirely expected that Swinney is reaching out to potential hires right now, especially with the shift in the coaching calendar. The transfer portal—think of it as a marketplace where college athletes can switch schools—opens on January 2 and stays active through January 16. Many players often have their next destinations lined up before the portal even kicks off, leading to rapid movement once it does. With just one portal window these days, teams must fill roster gaps quickly in January to avoid being left behind.
That means getting the coaching staff finalized is crucial—they need to be ready to dive into the portal as soon as it opens. In previous years, Swinney has typically held off on staff adjustments until after the bowl games wrap up. However, Clemson stands a good chance of playing in the Sun Bowl on December 31, which could complicate things. If Swinney delays until then to initiate changes and hunt for replacements, it might put the program at a disadvantage.
And this is where it gets controversial: Is Swinney breaking from tradition too soon, risking a hasty decision, or is he wisely adapting to the new realities of the portal era? Critics might argue he's jumping the gun, potentially alienating loyal staff or making rushed hires, while supporters could say it's a smart move to seize the initiative in a fast-paced environment. What do you think—does changing the timeline signal progress, or could it backfire?
Ultimately, Swinney would be neglecting his responsibilities if he wasn't thoroughly preparing to lock in his staff before the portal opens. This proactive stance ensures Clemson can compete effectively for top talent and maintain momentum.
What are your takes on Swinney's approach? Do you agree that early preparation is key in today's college football landscape, or would you prefer he sticks to his tried-and-true post-bowl strategy? Is there a controversial angle we've missed here? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you and spark a discussion!
