Hunter Renfrow
Former Clemson Football linebacker James Skalski just joined Brent Venables’s staff as a graduate assistant. This follows a tradition that Venables was part of at Clemson of bringing in former players to support roles as they begin their coaching careers.
There are a few former Clemson players I would love to see as coaches, and I keep my fingers crossed they might one day follow CJ Spiller, Thomas Austin, and others who have joined Clemson’s staff as grad assistants to kick off their careers. Hunter Renfrow is at the top of my wishlist.
I have a dream that when Renfrow hangs up his cleats he decides to join Dabo Swinney’s staff as an offensive analyst. He then joins the coaching staff working with wide receivers before being elevated to offensive coordinator. When Swinney finally decides to enjoy his well-earned retirement, he succeeds Renfrow as the next head coach of the Clemson Tigers.
Renfrow is currently occupied with a successful NFL career and he likely won’t be starting a post-playing career for a little while yet. When he does get there, he will likely have a few options. He finished his degree in economics at Clemson. He could look to get into broadcasting.
Something tells me that Renfrow’s future will likely be in coaching. His demeanor, the respect he gleans from those around him, and his work ethic all scream college coach to me.
The biggest hint might have been given by his college head coach following a pickup basketball game last spring:
"“Took he and Will down, just for the record. Two-on-two. That is an absolute fact. He was not real happy about that, so it is like the Olympics at the Swinney house every day right now. When Renfrow is in town, it is always some type of competition. Cards, whatever it is, egg toss, there is always something going on.”"
The man is a competitor. Coaches compete.