Is the succession plan in place for the Clemson football offensive line?
There have been rumors that the Clemson football program has added former offensive lineman Thomas Austin (2005-2009) to the staff as an offensive analyst. Austin spent the last two years as the offensive line coach at Georgia State under Shawn Elliott.
The addition of Austin for Clemson football should solidify the staff as several coaches & analysts moved on to positions at Louisiana Monroe and South Florida. The Tigers are scheduled to start spring practice February 24.
While nothing has been said officially and likely won’t be for a while, Thomas Austin’s addition to the staff is a likely signal of a succession plan for current offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell, who turned 67 in January. Austin, 34, will likely become Caldwell’s understudy for the next few years with all signs pointing to him potentially taking over for Caldwell when he retires.
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney knows how to deal with staff turnover and is always thinking ahead
Coach Swinney has not strayed far from the den when hiring replacements.
Todd Bates did not have a direct link to Swinney but had made an impression on him and former defensive line coach Dan Brooks while working Dabo Swinney Football Camps.
Austin played for Clemson under both Tommy Bowden and Swinney and was a two-time Second Team All-ACC selection in 2008 and 2009. Austin went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, but spent three years in the league with six different teams.
After his playing days, Austin returned to Clemson where he served as a Graduate Assistant from 2014-2018 when departed for Georgia State.
Coach Swinney’s plan for succession is to not only hire from within, but hire staffers that already have a firm grasp on the culture and values of the program.
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