CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Dabo Swinney recently announced that Garrett Riley and Mickey Conn will not return to Clemson’s coaching staff in 2026.
Swinney explained the changes in a heartfelt statement. He emphasized how challenging it was to part ways with Riley, stating, “These decisions are never easy, especially when you really love and care for the people involved.” Despite their past successes, which included an ACC championship in 2024, Swinney felt the performance wasn’t meeting expectations, leading to this difficult choice.
He praised Riley for his hard work and dedication, expressing confidence in his future coaching career. “Garrett is smart, he’s got great work ethic…he’ll be a great head coach in the future,” Swinney said.
In addition, Mickey Conn, who joined Clemson in 2016 and has been coaching the safeties since 2017, is also departing. Swinney has known Conn for over 30 years and described him as family. He highlighted Conn’s contributions over the past decade, including mentoring players like R.J. Mickens, who is now a starting safety in the NFL.
These shifts reflect a broader trend in college football where programs are continually evolving to keep up with fierce competition. According to a recent survey by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), more than half of Division I programs have made staff changes in the past few years, underscoring the high stakes of coaching positions in today’s college sports landscape.
Looking forward, Swinney is optimistic about future plans for both the offensive and defensive teams. He expressed excitement about finding the right candidates to lead these critical areas as the team aims for success in 2026 and beyond.
Change can be tough, but it often paves the way for new opportunities and growth within programs. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as Clemson navigates this transition.
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