Clemson's disappointing season came with consequences. Just not for the head coach.
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The school announced that offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and longtime safeties coach Mickey Conn will not return next season, while Dabo Swinney remains in charge.
The Clemson Tigers finished 7-6, falling short of the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff despite entering the season ranked No. 16. Clemson closed the year with a 22-10 loss to Penn State Nittany Lions in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
Riley, who joined Swinney's staff from TCU in 2023, took the brunt of the fallout after Clemson's offense regressed. The Tigers averaged 34.7 points per game in 2024, ranking 18th nationally. That number dropped to 27.2 points in 2025, finishing 70th.
"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," Swinney said in a statement. "I want to thank Garrett for all that he did for us here at Clemson, including helping us win another ACC championship in 2024 and getting back to the College Football Playoff that year."
Swinney added that the decision was not personal.
"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 said. "He's got an amazing career ahead and I fully expect him to be a head coach in the future."
Riley, 36, is the younger brother of Lincoln Riley and was among the highest-paid assistants in the country, set to earn $1.75 million next season with two years remaining on his contract.
Conn departs after a decade with the program, following a season in which play in the secondary became a growing concern.
"I'm very appreciative of Mickey and the contributions he's made over the last 10 years," Swinney said. "I'm thankful for his family and excited for the next step in his career."
