Clemson Football: Tiger Tuesday – Nick Eason

Tiger Tuesday features a Clemson Football athlete from the past that significantly impacted their program.  This week Clemson football is highlighted with former player and current defensive line coach Nick Eason.

Nick Eason – Defensive End, 1999-2002

• RTR 200 Ranking: 93
• 153 tackles
• 15 sacks
• 30 tackles for loss
• All-ACC selection

Nick Eason is returning home to Clemson after a very successful football career on and off the field.

Eason played at Toombs County High School in Lyons, Georgia before committing to Clemson. He redshirted his freshman season, allowing him to get a head start on his academics, which would benefit him later in his Clemson career.

He was named the Most Valuable Player for the Clemson defense in 2000, when he tied for the team lead in sacks. That season ended badly for Eason, however, as he injured his Achilles tendon during bowl prep and couldn’t participate in football activities for several months.

It was during this time that Eason realized he had an opportunity to focus on his academics, and he became a pioneer for the Tigers in the classroom. He graduated with a degree in Sociology in August 2001, becoming the first Clemson football player to graduate with two years of eligibility remaining. Eason spoke on this accomplishment:

"“I have aunts and uncles who have master’s degrees, too, so that really helps motivate me. My mom and dad always pushed me to achieve, but I don’t think they expected me to graduate this early – they probably expected me to graduate in four or five years.”"

The time rehabbing also allowed Eason to physically change his body to change positions from defensive end to defensive tackle when he returned in 2001.

"“Then once I got hurt I wished I was out there. It kind of prepared me mentally to play this year. I am more focused and it gave me more time to think about what I want to do with my life. I knew the rehab was going to be long so I tried to stay focused and work hard. That gave me a chance to gain some weight and get stronger in the weight room since I knew I was going to be changing positions.”"

That change in position helped Eason prepare for a career in the NFL. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. After a stint in NFL Europe, Eason spent the next eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.

Nick Eason decided to return “home” to Clemson football when Dabo Swinney went looking for a defensive line coach with NFL experience

Eason immediately transitioned to a coaching role when his playing career was over, returning to Cleveland as a defensive line coach. He also coached for the Tennessee Titans and the Cincinnati Bengals before taking his first college coaching assignment with Auburn in 2021.

When Todd Bates elected to take a new opportunity with Brent Venables at Oklahoma, Dabo Swinney decided he wanted a defensive line coach with NFL experience, and he quickly zeroed in on Eason:

"“Not only was he a great player at Clemson, but he was a great pro. He was incredibly respected all throughout his career as a player and coach. He’s coached the best of the best, he’s a Super Bowl champion, but I love his passion for coaching and teaching young people. He’s been drawn to the college level by the impact he can have on a young person’s life, and he just really fits and aligns with our values here at Clemson. It’s just an added bonus that he happened to be a great player here at Clemson.”"