Former Clemson Football players that could join the staff in the future

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.

Christian Wilkins

Like Renfrow, Wilkins will be occupied for a few more years while he wreaks havoc on offenses. He just completed one of the best seasons for a defensive tackle ever in the NFL.

There is one simple reason why I think Wilkins will move into coaching eventually: there is no player from the last decade that personifies all of the qualities that have made Swinney a successful head coach more than Wilkins.

He has the personality. His charisma is undeniable. He is personable and easily relates to those around him. He knows when to get to work and knows when to lighten the mood. He has future head coach written all over him.

Is he the kind of guy that wants to put in the grind working his way up the ladder? That is a good question, and I do not know the answer. I could also easily see Wilkins move into a broadcasting role for all the same reasons I just quoted about his personality.

Swinney noted that Wilkins wasn’t intimidated by the grind on the practice field:

"“He’s one of the most unique and dynamic young people that I’ve ever had the chance to be around. He’s just a special human being. What you see is what you get. He’s just so authentic. He’s high energy every day. He’s passionate. He loves to practice. He loves school. He loves the grind of it. He’s just one of those guys that’s always working and sets such an example for everybody else.”"

Maybe Wilkins would find a career as a coach appealing.

KJ Henry

I am a Henry fan. He hade me at ‘Hello”. His commitment announcement in late 2017 was impressive. Instead of making the announcement himself, he invited an assistant coach from West Forsythe High School, Patrick Murphy, to announce it with him. Murphy, who was born with a mental disability, had been a fixture at West Forsythe for over two decades.

I was further impressed when he had the foresight and humility to suggest to the coaching staff that he should redshirt in 2018 so he could grow both physically and mentally. I admire how he kept working hard and improving season after season when there wasn’t always a clear path to the starting line-up. He could have easily decided to transfer.

Instead, he matured into a leader on the field for the Tigers. His charisma makes him an ideal representative for the team in press conferences and fan events. Like Wilkins, he is the kind of guy who can build relationships with others.

I hope KJ gets his chance in the NFL and he has a long pro career. When it is over, I hope he considers a career in coaching. He has the brains, he has the focus and he has the people skills to be successful. He would be a natural fit for the Clemson staff.

John Simpson

Everything came together for the Tigers in 2018. Trevor Lawrence was the sensation after Clemson’s national championship victory over Alabama, but it was the leadership of players like Wilkins and Renfrow that buoyed Clemson throughout the ups and downs of the season.

It was unknown who would step in to fill that void in leadership once the veterans moved on to the NFL. Clemson found an answer on the offensive side from a surprising source.

Simpson was known as a reliable lineman from 2016-2019, but it wasn’t until he was a rising senior that he showed everyone his personality. He showed that he had the same kind of sense of humor and likeability as Wilkins when he showed up at ACC Media Days with a blond wig impersonating Lawrence.

To be a leader, one must be able to make connections with those around them. Simpson had that ability, and he was one of the guys that filled that leadership void in 2019. Those qualities were part of the reason he was drafted by the (then) Oakland Raiders in 2020.

Simpson’s NFL career is at a crossroads. Hopefully, he finds a role with the Baltimore Ravens this off-season. When he does complete his NFL career, he could consider a job in coaching.

Darien Rencher

Rencher had a big impact on the Tiger program during his time at Clemson. He started as a walk-on in 2016, not seeing the field as he redshirted his freshman season. His carries were spotty over the next five seasons, but it wasn’t on the field where Rencher contributed the most.

Rencher’s biggest influence was felt in the locker room as a team leader. He earned the respect of his teammates with his work ethic on and off the field. He led by example on the practice field. He led off the field by helping organize efforts to bring awareness to social issues and player safety in 2020. That leadership earned Rencher the 2020 Disney Spirit Award.

Since his playing career ended, Rencher has created a podcast. He has been an analyst for ACC Network. He has partnered with Ben Boulware to bring NIL opportunities to Clemson athletes.

He does seem to be moving in a different direction than coaching. It might not be something that appeals to Rencher, but I think he would excel at it. Like his peers on this list, he can connect with people, which might be the most important quality of a coach outside of football IQ.

Tajh Boyd and CJ Spiller didn’t jump into coaching right away. Maybe Rencher will give it a shot one day. I think he would be pretty good at it.