The Clemson football team is revamping its coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season. Following a recent NCAA rule change allowing any staff member to provide on-field coaching during games and practices, the Tigers have made several key adjustments to their staff roles.
A notable change is the appointment of Will Gilchrist, a former Memphis quarterback, as the new director of special teams. This marks a shift from the previous arrangement where special teams responsibilities were handled by various analysts. Gilchrist will be joined by Ryan Allen, a former NFL punter and three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, who will serve as a special teams player development/specialists coach. Allen, who last played in the NFL in 2020, brings extensive experience to the role.
Mike Reed, the cornerbacks coach and assistant head coach, will continue to hold the title of special teams coordinator. However, Gilchrist and Allen will now take on leading roles in special teams coaching during both practices and games. They are stepping into these positions following the retirement of Bill Spiers, who had been with the program since 2016 and served as the director of special teams since 2020.
In addition to these changes, several other updates have been made to Swinney’s staff for the 2024 season:
– Lorenzo Ward, former South Carolina defensive coordinator, will join as a special assistant to the head coach and defense, and assistant linebackers coach.
– John Grass, former Jacksonville State head coach, will serve as senior offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach.
– DeAndre McDaniel, a former Clemson standout and longtime staffer, will now be the nickelbacks coach.
Swinney expressed his support for the NCAA’s rule change, which allows for more coaching flexibility. “When you’ve got stuff like that, you need to change it,” Swinney said. “And I’m glad that they did. It allows us to use our resources efficiently and develop our team.”
Other staff updates include new roles for:
– Da’Quan Bowers: Assistant defensive ends coach
– Daniel Boyd: Assistant defensive tackles coach
– Tajh Boyd: Assistant quarterbacks coach
– Carson Cramer: Assistant offensive coach
– Cole Stoudt: Assistant wide receivers coach
– Carter Thomason: Assistant linebackers coach
– Elijah Turner: Assistant cornerbacks coach
– Andrew Zow: Assistant running backs coach
– Corey Crawford: Assistant defensive line coach
– Tyrone Crowder: Assistant offensive line coach
– Andrew Shipman: Assistant tight ends coach
– Drew Swinney: Assistant wide receivers coach
– Brandon Thomas: Assistant offensive line coach
– Nolan Turner: Assistant safeties coach
These updates reflect the expanded roles following the NCAA rule change, allowing a more hands-on approach in coaching. The Tigers are set to participate in ACC Kickoff later this week and will start their fall camp on August 1. Clemson’s season opener against Georgia is scheduled for August 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.