Clemson coaching search after Garrett Riley’s is fired — 5 realistic targets

Clemson has turned to a deep list of rising stars and proven play-callers. Here are the most likely candidates as Dabo Swinney faces a program-shaping hire.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 29 Clemson at South Carolina | Icon Sportswire/GettyImagesIf Clemson is going to turn the page offensively in 2026, the next coordinator hire can’t just be a new play sheet. It has to be a signal.

The Tigers are looking for a modern, QB-friendly system that can generate explosives without abandoning what Clemson has always been — physical up front, efficient in the red zone, and built to win big games in November. With that in mind, here are the best targets Clemson should pursue, stacked by realism and upside based…