Garrett Riley at a Crossroads: Clemson OC Focused on Bowl Win Amid Uncertain Future
Garrett Riley has had no shortage of headlines this December. Clemson’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach has found himself at the center of coaching carousel chatter, on the receiving end of public scrutiny, and right in the middle of a season that’s been anything but straightforward.
Riley, in his third year with the Tigers, was linked to head coaching vacancies at North Texas and Coastal Carolina. He even reportedly interviewed for the Coastal job, but neither opportunity materialized into a new gig. Instead, Riley remains in orange and purple, preparing for the Pinstripe Bowl clash against Penn State at Yankee Stadium.
But the noise hasn’t stopped - and neither has the pressure.
Dabo’s Public Critique and Riley’s Response
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, typically tight-lipped when it comes to internal coaching matters, has taken a more direct approach this season. He’s been openly critical of the Tigers’ offensive performance, specifically questioning Riley’s playcalling and overall strategy. That’s a notable shift from Swinney’s usual public stance, and it’s added another layer of intrigue to Riley’s current situation.
With the season finale looming, Swinney has also hinted at possible staff changes once the bowl game is in the rearview mirror. That leaves Riley in a bit of limbo - not fired, not hired elsewhere, but clearly under the microscope.
When asked directly this week whether he expects to return to Clemson in 2026, Riley didn’t offer a definitive yes or no. Instead, he leaned into the present.
“My whole focus is operating here at Clemson,” Riley said during a Zoom interview. “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 acknowledged the uncertainty without diving into specifics, saying he’s aware that “there’s decisions to be made and all that stuff, big picture-wise.” But for now, Riley’s locked in on finishing strong.
“I’m telling you, my whole focus is being here, being the best I can for our staff, being the best I can for our players and giving us the best chance to finish this thing out the way we have been the last few weeks and go cap it off with the great bowl win,” he said. “That’s 100% the focus.”
A Season of Highs, Lows - and a Late Rally
Clemson’s 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster. The Tigers were sitting at 3-5 at one point, dangerously close to missing a bowl game altogether. But they found their footing late in the year, rattling off four straight wins to finish 7-5 and earn a spot in the Pinstripe Bowl.
That turnaround wasn’t just about defensive stops or special teams. Riley’s offense - which had struggled for much of the season - showed real improvement down the stretch.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik, who had seemingly stalled in his development, began to find some rhythm. Riley’s playcalling in the regular-season finale against South Carolina was sharp, balanced, and effective - a reminder of what his offense can look like when it’s clicking.
A win over Penn State would push Clemson to 8-5 and give the Tigers their 15th consecutive season with eight or more wins. Only Alabama and Georgia can currently claim that level of consistency. The Tigers are favored by 3.5 points heading into the matchup.
Still, Swinney has made it clear that any post-bowl evaluations will look at the full season - not just the final month.
The Numbers Tell a Mixed Story
When you zoom out, the offensive numbers don’t paint a pretty picture. Clemson enters the bowl game ranked 60th nationally in scoring offense at 28.7 points per game and 48th in total offense at 405.3 yards per game. That’s a noticeable drop from last season, when the Tigers averaged 34.7 points (18th) and 451.9 yards (11th) per game.
The run game has been a particular sore spot. Clemson ranks 99th in rushing offense, averaging just 131.2 yards per game. Even more concerning: their third-down conversion rate sits at 34.38% - 116th out of 136 FBS teams.
Those are the kinds of stats that stick in a head coach’s mind when he’s evaluating his staff.
Big Contract, Bigger Questions
Riley’s contract adds another wrinkle to the situation. He’s one of the highest-paid coordinators in the country, set to earn $1.75 million in 2025-26 - tied for the 13th highest assistant salary nationally. If Clemson were to part ways with him without cause, the school would owe him 100% of his remaining salary - a $3.5 million commitment over two years.
That number could be reduced if Riley takes another job, thanks to a standard mitigation clause that offsets Clemson’s payments based on his next salary.
And there’s certainly been interest. Since the end of the regular season, Riley has been linked to - or formally interviewed for - three notable jobs: head coach at North Texas, head coach at Coastal Carolina, and offensive coordinator at TCU, where he previously served before joining Clemson.
“It’s a wild time as you get towards the end of the season for a lot of reasons,” Riley said. “But you’ve just got to take it day by day.
Really, the focus now is, ‘Hey, let’s go win this game. Let’s go have a great bowl experience.’”
What Comes Next?
That’s the million-dollar - or $3.5 million - question. Riley’s future at Clemson remains uncertain, and Swinney’s post-bowl evaluations could go in any number of directions. But for now, Riley is focused on what’s in front of him: preparing his offense to take the field in the Bronx and trying to close out 2025 with a statement win.
It’s been a season full of questions for Clemson’s offense. The Pinstripe Bowl won’t answer all of them, but it could go a long way in shaping what comes next - for Garrett Riley, for Cade Klubnik, and for a Tigers program at a pivotal point in its evolution.