
Clemson University's basketball program has seen a recent increase in staff investment, with head coach Brad Brownell stating that the program is making a financial commitment to his coaching staff. Clemson paid its newest men's basketball assistants a combined salary of over $700,000, with Billy Donlon earning $450,000 annually and Sean Dixon earning a base salary of $285,000. This is a significant increase from the previous season, where total compensation for Clemson's basketball staff for the 2020-21 season was $3,282,839. Clemson's head coach, Brownell, also received a raise to $2.6 million in total compensation as part of a contract extension. The university has also invested in its football coaching staff, with several assistants receiving raises and one-year extensions, bringing their total assistant coach pay in 2024 to $9.675 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total assistant coach pay in 2024 | $9.675 million |
| Highest-paid assistant coach | Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley |
| Garrett Riley's pay in 2024 | $1.75 million |
| Number of assistant coaches under contract through at least 2026 | 5 |
| Total assistant coach pay last season | $7.775 million |
| Coach Dabo Swinney's pay in 2024 | $11 million |
| Clemson's basketball staff total compensation for the 2020-21 season | $3,282,839 |
| Clemson's basketball staff total compensation rank | 7th out of the ACC's eight public institutions |
| Billy Donlon's salary | $450,000 |
| Sean Dixon's salary | $285,000 |
| Reynolds Dean's salary at Clemson | $325,000 |
| Richardson's salary | $275,000 |
| Dick Bender's salary | $250,000 |
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Clemson men's basketball assistants paid over $700,000 combined
Clemson University has been investing heavily in its sports programs, with a particular focus on its basketball and football teams. Clemson's total assistant coach pay for the football team was $7.775 million in 2023, which ranked 9th nationally. This figure is set to increase to $9.675 million in 2024, which should place Clemson in the top 5.
Clemson's men's basketball assistants are also well-compensated, with a combined salary of over $700,000. This includes Billy Donlon, who is on a two-year contract with an annual salary of $450,000, and Sean Dixon, who earns a base salary of $285,000. These salaries represent a financial commitment to the coaching staff, as acknowledged by Brad Brownell, who received a raise to $2.6 million in total compensation before the 2022 season as part of a contract extension through 2025-2026.
The increase in staff investment for Clemson's basketball program was prompted by the team's failure to meet expectations, as they did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament in the 2021-2022 season, finishing with a 17-16 record. Clemson's athletic director, Graham Neff, emphasized the need to raise the level of expectations across the board, including facilities, salaries for staff, and coaches' salaries.
The total compensation for Clemson's basketball staff for the 2020-2021 season was $3,282,839, ranking seventh out of the ACC's eight public institutions. Clemson's relatively low salary pool compared to other programs in the ACC has been a challenge in retaining staff, as seen with the departure of Reynolds Dean, who left for a higher-paying position at Georgia.
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Clemson's assistant coach pay ranked No. 9 nationally
Clemson University's assistant coach pay was ranked 9th nationally in 2023. The Tigers' total assistant coach pay was $7.775 million last season, according to USA TODAY. Clemson's assistant coach pay is expected to rise to $9.675 million in 2024, which would place them in the top 5 nationally, if not the top 3. This figure includes retention and signing bonuses. Clemson's assistant coach pay is the highest in the ACC, with only Ohio State and Georgia paying more.
Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and coach Nick Eason are among the highest-paid assistant coaches at Clemson. Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is tied for 13th nationally with a base salary of $1.75 million. Other Clemson assistants in the top 200 include Robbie Caldwell ($541,500), Danny Pearman ($481,500), Brandon Streeter ($456,500), Mike Reed ($441,500), and Mickey Conn ($371,500).
Clemson has enjoyed significant success on the football field in recent years, and the university has rewarded its assistant coaches with competitive salaries. The Tigers' assistant coach pay has consistently ranked among the top 10 nationally, with defensive coordinator Brent Venables earning the second-highest salary in the country in 2018 at $2,201,500. Clemson's assistant coach payroll includes the 10 primary assistant coaches, such as coordinators and position coaches, but does not include head coach Dabo Swinney, who earns $11.1 million in school pay, excluding bonuses.
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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's 10-year, $115 million deal
Clemson's board of trustees has approved a new 10-year, $115 million contract extension for Dabo Swinney, the university's football head coach. The deal, which averages $11.5 million per year, makes Swinney one of the highest-paid coaches in college football and the highest-paid public employee in South Carolina.
Swinney's new contract is a significant increase from his previous salary of $8.3 million per year and places him ahead of the highest-paid men's and women's basketball coaches in the country. With this deal, Swinney joins the $10 million club, which includes other top college football coaches such as Saban and Smart.
Swinney has served as Clemson's head coach since 2009, beginning as interim coach in 2008. During his tenure, he has led the Tigers to two national championships (2016, 2018), seven ACC titles, and 151 wins in his first 15 seasons. His impact on the football program, university, and Clemson community has been profound, as noted by Clemson president Jim Clements.
The contract includes terms regarding buyouts if Swinney were to leave for another coaching position, including a $9 million buyout if he were to become the Alabama head coach in 2022 and a decreasing buyout number for each year of the deal. If Clemson were to terminate Swinney without cause, they would owe him between $57 million and $64 million, depending on the year.
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Clemson's total assistant coach pay in 2024 will be $9.675 million
The raise in total assistant coach pay can be largely attributed to the individual salary increases of several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and defensive tackles coach Nick Eason. Goodwin, who is in his third year as defensive coordinator, will see his salary increase from $850,000 to $1.4 million in 2024, while Eason will earn $1.1 million, up from $800,000. Both Goodwin and Eason's new salaries place them in the $1 million club, a rare feat for assistant coaches.
Other assistant coaches who received raises include running backs coach C.J. Spiller, whose salary increased from $450,000 to $550,000, and wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham, who will also make $550,000 in 2024, a raise from his previous salary of $450,000. It is worth noting that not all assistant coaches received raises, with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, offensive line coach Matt Luke, and defensive ends coach Chris Rumph maintaining their previous salaries.
The increase in Clemson's total assistant coach pay reflects the university's commitment to investing in its football program and personnel. With a strong defensive performance in the 2023 season, the raises for assistant coaches like Goodwin and Eason recognize their contributions to the team's success. Clemson's head coach, Dabo Swinney, also received a substantial salary of $11 million for 2024, showcasing the university's dedication to retaining top coaching talent.
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Clemson's basketball staff salaries for the 2020-21 season
Clemson's basketball programme has seen an increase in investment in recent years, with a particular focus on the salaries of the coaching staff. The total compensation for Clemson's basketball staff for the 2020-21 season was $3,282,839, ranking seventh out of the eight public institutions in the ACC, according to Sportico. Clemson's head coach, Brad Brownell, acknowledged that the programme's salary pool was relatively low compared to other ACC programs. However, with the addition of new assistants Billy Donlon and Sean Dixon, Clemson has demonstrated a financial commitment by offering combined salaries of over $700,000 for these positions.
While specific salary breakdowns for the 2020-21 season are not publicly available, it is known that Clemson's head football coach, Dabo Swinney, earned 38.7% of the total football staff compensation for that season. This percentage is the second lowest among head coaches at BCS public schools. Additionally, Swinney agreed to forgo a $1 million retention payment and a $250,000 supplemental pay increase that he was due to receive in 2021. Bonuses are also a significant component of the staff's compensation, with a maximum bonus of $100,000 connected to team academic achievement allocated among the staff for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
The investment in staff salaries is a crucial aspect of Clemson's basketball programme, and the university has recognised the importance of competitive salaries to retain talented staff. The salaries for the 2020-21 season reflect Clemson's commitment to their basketball staff, and the university continues to strive for success in this highly competitive sporting arena.
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Frequently asked questions
Clemson Tigers' assistant football coaches are paid a total of $7.775 million, which ranked 9th nationally.
Clemson's newest men's basketball assistants are paid a combined total of over $700,000. Billy Donlon is paid $450,000 per year, while Sean Dixon is paid a base salary of $285,000.
Clemson's basketball staff was paid a total of $3,282,839 during the 2020-21 season, ranking 7th out of the ACC's eight public institutions.
Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is Clemson's highest-paid assistant coach, earning $1.75 million in 2024.
Clemson's football head coach, Dabo Swinney, is on a 10-year, $115 million deal. He will make $11 million before bonuses in 2024.











































