Clemson’s Dabo Swinney Set to Address Roster Turnover, Staff Overhaul in First 2026 Press Conference
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is set to speak publicly for the first time in 2026 on January 23, and there’s no shortage of topics on the table. From a major staff shakeup to a record-setting wave of transfer portal movement, the Tigers are navigating one of the most pivotal offseasons in Swinney’s tenure.
The press conference kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET, with Swinney joined by newly hired offensive coordinator Chad Morris.
The two will speak from 3:30 to 3:55, focusing on Morris’ return to the program and the broader changes within the coaching staff. Then, from 3:55 to 4:30, Swinney will shift gears to address Clemson’s transfer portal activity and the overall state of the roster.
Athletic director Graham Neff is expected to join during that portion to provide additional context from the athletic department’s perspective.
A Season That Demanded Change
Clemson’s 7-6 finish in 2025 marked the second-worst season under Swinney, a campaign that saw the Tigers miss both the ACC Championship and the College Football Playoff. The disappointing results prompted a full evaluation of the program, leading to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley after three seasons.
In his place, Swinney turned to a familiar face: Chad Morris, who previously served as Clemson’s OC from 2011 to 2014. Morris was instrumental in laying the offensive foundation that helped launch Clemson’s rise to national prominence, and his return signals a desire to recapture some of that early identity.
But the coaching carousel didn’t stop there. Clemson made several other key hires, including bringing in Corico Wright as safeties coach (a reported move), promoting Dennis Love to strength coach, and adding former Tigers Jacoby Ford and Artavis Scott to the offensive staff. Freddie Kitchens also joined the staff in an assistant coaching role, giving the Tigers a blend of NFL experience and Clemson DNA.
On the flip side, the Tigers saw a wave of departures. Along with Riley, safeties coach Mickey Conn was let go, and longtime strength coach Joey Batson retired. Several offensive support staffers, including Drew Swinney, Paul Tyson, and others, took on new roles at Samford, creating a significant reshuffling on the developmental side of the coaching operation.
Transfer Portal: A New Era of Roster Management
If the coaching changes weren’t enough, Clemson also had to navigate an unprecedented level of roster turnover via the transfer portal. The Tigers lost 15 players to the portal - the most in a single season under Swinney. That list includes key contributors across multiple positions: linebackers Luke Ferrelli, Jamal Anderson, and Dee Crayton; defensive backs like Khalil Barnes, Rob Billings, and Shelton Lewis; and offensive pieces such as WR Parker Fulghum and RB Keith Adams Jr.
Perhaps the most puzzling case was Ferrelli. The linebacker transferred to Clemson on January 7, reportedly began attending classes and workouts, only to re-enter the portal just nine days later and commit to Ole Miss. It’s a microcosm of the new challenges coaches face in managing rosters in the transfer era - where commitment doesn’t always mean continuity.
Still, Clemson did make some notable additions. The Tigers brought in ten players from the portal, including:
- Jaylen Brown-Wallace, a wide receiver from Wingate
- Chris Johnson Jr., a running back from SMU
- CJ Wesley, a defensive lineman from Howard
- London Merritt, a defensive end from Colorado
- Markus Strong, a defensive tackle from Oklahoma
- Kourtney Kelly, a defensive tackle from West Georgia
- Corey Myrick, a safety from Southern Miss
- Donovan Starr, a cornerback from Auburn
- Jerome Carter III, a safety from Old Dominion
- Elliot Washington II, a cornerback from Penn State
Defensive end Caden Story also entered the portal but later withdrew his name, opting to stay with the program.
Looking Ahead
Swinney’s press conference is expected to offer insight into how Clemson plans to recalibrate after a turbulent 2025 season. With a new offensive leader in Morris, a retooled staff, and a roster that’s seen significant turnover, the Tigers are clearly in transition. But if there’s one thing Swinney has shown over the years, it’s an ability to adapt - even if it takes a few growing pains to get there.
The next chapter of Clemson football starts now, and all eyes will be on how Swinney and his revamped staff plan to write it.