Clemson Football: Who is new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley?

Clemson Football did not take long to decide who will run the offense in 2023. Garrett Riley has been hired to be the next offensive coordinator for the Tigers.

Riley played quarterback for Texas Tech for two seasons in 2008-09 for the late Mike Leach. He transferred to Stephen F. Austin for the 2010 season.

Riley started his coaching career in Texas high school football in Lubbock. After a brief stop in Division III football at Augustana College in Illinois, Riley got his first FBS opportunity at East Carolina while his brother Lincoln was on Ruffin McNeil’s staff.

Riley next worked for Kansas as an analyst for David Beaty before coaching quarterbacks and then tight ends. He was hired by Eli Drinkwitz at Appalachian State to coach running backs in 2019.

Riley was preparing to step into the offensive coordinator role for the Mountaineers when Drinkwitz was suddenly hired by Missouri. As a result, Riley changed direction and landed at SMU as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for head coach Sonny Dykes.

While Dykes is known for his offensive knowledge, Riley was the play caller for the Mustangs in 2020 and 2021. SMU’s offense ranked in the top fifteen offenses in college football during both seasons.

Clemson Football hired the offensive coordinator that called plays for 2022’s national runner-up

Dykes accepted an offer to take over the TCU program in 2022, and Riley made the move with him. The 2022 Frogs were undefeated in the regular season before losing to Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game.

TCU earned their first College Football Playoff berth and defeated Michigan 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl to earn their first championship game appearance. They lost to Georgia 65-7.

Riley was given the Broyles Award for most outstanding coordinator in college football in 2022. Past recipients of the award include Tony Elliott, Brent Venables, Steve Sarkisian, Lincoln Riley and Kirby Smart.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan says this about Riley:

"“I think he’s just so creative. He’s confident in what he does and what he calls. He puts everybody in the best position. He takes our strength and uses it in his scheme and what he thinks is best for us.”"

Riley will be the fifth offensive coordinator/play caller under head coach Dabo Swinney, following Billy Napier, Chad Morris, Elliott and Brandon Streeter.