Dabo Swinney fires high-priced assistant in Clemson staff shake up after dismal season

Clemson’s dismal season did not come without repercussions – just not for head coach Dabo Swinney. 

The school announced that offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and longtime safeties coach Mickey Conn will not return next season. 

The Tigers finished 7-6 and missed out on the ACC Championship game and College Football Playoff despite high preseason expectations. Clemson began the year ranked No. 16. Its season ended with a disappointing 22-10 loss to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. 

Riley, who joined Swinney’s staff from TCU in 2023, paid for it with his job after the team’s offense regressed and became a point of frustration for Swinney during the season. In 2024, Clemson’s offense averaged 34.7 points (18th in the nation). In 2025, the average dropped to 27.2 (70th)

Tigers offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, left, and coaches in the fourth quarter against the Syracuse Orange at Memorial Stadium GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

“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,” Swinney said in a statement.

“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.”

The 36-year-old Riley, the younger brother of USC coach Lincoln Riley, was one of the nation’s highest-paid assistants, set to make $1.75 million next season, with two years left on his contract.

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney leads his team on the field before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Conn, who has been with the program for 10 years exits after safeties were a major point of concern for Clemson. 

“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.