Garrett Riley Staying Focused Amid Uncertainty as Clemson Preps for Pinstripe Bowl
CLEMSON - As Clemson gears up for its Pinstripe Bowl matchup later this month, the future of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley remains one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding the program.
Riley met with the media on Dec. 17 and, naturally, questions about his job status surfaced. His name has been linked to a couple of head coaching searches at non-Power Five programs in recent weeks, and with Clemson’s offense under heavy scrutiny this season, speculation about what’s next has only grown louder.
But when asked directly whether he expects to return in 2026, Riley kept the focus on the present.
“My whole focus is operating here at Clemson,” Riley said. “I know this is an unbelievable place to work, unbelievable place to live. Certainly didn't have the season that we all wanted, but sometimes that's sports.”
He added that while there are “decisions to be made” in the bigger picture, his priority is giving Clemson’s players and staff the best shot to finish the season strong.
“Let’s go win this game, let’s go have a great bowl experience,” he said.
A Mixed Bag Since Arriving at Clemson
Riley was a high-profile hire when Clemson brought him in from TCU ahead of the 2023 season. He had just helped guide the Horned Frogs to the national title game and earned the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. His offenses at SMU and TCU were consistently explosive, averaging nearly 39 points per game over a three-year stretch.
But the results at Clemson have been inconsistent. In his three seasons running the Tigers’ offense, the unit has averaged 29.8, 34.7, and 28.7 points per game - a noticeable drop from his previous output. This year’s numbers are particularly disappointing given the experience on hand: a third-year starter at quarterback in Cade Klubnik, a seasoned offensive line, and a talented receiving corps.
The offense never quite found its rhythm, and Riley’s play-calling has come under fire at times - especially when the Tigers have gone away from the run game too quickly or failed to stretch the field vertically. There’s also been less pre-snap motion compared to what Riley utilized at TCU, making Clemson’s attack more predictable.
Penn State safety King Mack, who’ll be lining up against Riley’s offense in the bowl game, didn’t sugarcoat what he’s seen on film.
“A lot of screens,” Mack said. “Cade, he’s a great quarterback.
He’s talented. But I realize, once he sees what coverage he’s in, he’s confident … but when he doesn’t know what defense you’re in, that’s when he tends to have a little trouble.”
Coaching Carousel Rumors and Contract Realities
Riley’s name surfaced in connection with the head coaching vacancies at North Texas and Coastal Carolina. According to reports, he went “deep” into the vetting process with Coastal before they ultimately hired Ryan Beard from Missouri State.
Despite that, Riley is still under contract at Clemson through January 2028, earning $1.75 million annually. His deal is fully guaranteed, but if he takes another job, Clemson would only be responsible for the difference in salary. If he’s let go before landing elsewhere, the Tigers could be on the hook for $3.5 million over the next two seasons.
Financially, it’s a significant decision for Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. But it wouldn’t be the first time he’s made a major move at OC. Since Tony Elliott left for Virginia after the 2021 season, Swinney has already cycled through Brandon Streeter and now Riley - his second offensive coordinator in three years.
Elliott’s offenses set a high bar, averaging over 38 points per game five times during his run, including a blistering 44 points per contest during Trevor Lawrence’s era. Riley was brought in with hopes of rekindling that kind of production, but the Tigers haven’t hit that stride - at least not consistently.
Bowl Game Challenges Ahead
Clemson enters the Dec. 27 Pinstripe Bowl on a four-game win streak, but it’s been the defense leading the way.
In their last three wins over FBS opponents, the Tigers have averaged just 24 points per game. And now, that defense will be without several key players.
Defensive linemen Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, and DeMonte Capehart have opted out of the bowl game, along with cornerback Avieon Terrell. On offense, star slot receiver Antonio Williams is out, and offensive lineman Collin Sadler won’t be available either - thinning a unit that already struggled with consistency.
So while Riley’s long-term future remains uncertain, his short-term mission is clear: find a way to get this offense going one more time, with a depleted lineup, against a tough Penn State defense.
“Have a chance to go compete with our team one last time for this season, so that's really where the focus is,” Riley said. “I know that's kind of coachspeak, but that's honestly the reality of it. You just have to be that way.”
For now, Riley is locked in on the task at hand. What happens after the final whistle in the Bronx - that’s a question for another day.