Riley not returning as Clemson offensive coordinator

Clemson's offense will be under new management in 2026.

Tiger head coach Dabo Swinney announced on Monday that offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, alongside safeties coach Mickey Conn, will not return to Clemson's staff next year.

"I have made the decision to make a change at offensive coordinator. This was a very difficult decision," Swinney said in a statement. "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.

"I just want to thank Garrett for all that he did for us here at Clemson and leading us and helping us secure another ACC championship in 2024 and get us back to the College Football Playoff that year. I appreciate all of his efforts on behalf of our players and our program. 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."

Riley was hired in 2023 to breathe life into the Tiger offense after coaching the TCU offense on their trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship. But he struggled to reach those lofty heights at Clemson. After a run to the College Football Playoff last season, the Tigers took a step backward this fall. They were ranked 62nd nationally in total offense and couldn't get much going on the ground.

Conn, meanwhile, has been on the staff since 2016. Clemson's defense failed to live up to expectations this fall, ranking 117th nationally in opponent passing yards and 57th in total defense.

"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 in a statement. "He's been with us since 2016 - 10 years - and he's been coaching the safeties since 2017 and coached a bunch of great safeties for us, including R.J. Mickens, who is a starting safety in the NFL as a rookie this year.

"I'm just so appreciative of Mickey and the great contribution that he's made at Clemson over the last decade. I'm thankful for his family as well. I'm excited for upcoming opportunities he may have to go and call a defense and take the next step in his career. I'm forever grateful for Mickey and all the outstanding players he's coached and all the memorable wins and championships we've earned together in the last decade.

"I am excited about the plan we have in place for our secondary and our defensive staff, and I am looking forward to identifying the right leader for our offense to help achieve our goals for 2026 and beyond."