The Clemson of old is no more. While many factors have played a part in the Tigers' downward spiral over the last few years, we may not fully appreciate just how badly coordinator attrition has hurt this program. When Clemson was at its peak, it was the most loaded team in the ACC and could hang with anyone. Sadly, Brent Venables and Tony Elliott are not walking through that door for Dabo Swinney.
As Elliott and Venables shine leading their respective Power Four programs, a fairly compelling stat surfaced on a Clemson message board about the Tigers' former defensive coordinator's impact. During the 10 seasons Venables was calling the shots over on defense (2012-21), Clemson won 87 percent of its games (121-18). Before and after Venables left, Swinney has been far less successful.
Prior to Venables' 2012 arrival from Oklahoma, Swinney only won 60 percent of his games (29-19) after taking over for an ineffective Tommy Bowden. In the years since Venables went back to OU, Clemson has only won 68.5 percent of its games since 2022 (37-17). We are talking about nearly a 20-percent drop-off in Clemson victories since Venables took over for Lincoln Riley in Norman.
Was just perusing the @TIinClemson boards this morning and came across a pretty wild stat relating to the #Sooners in regard to Dabo Swinney's time at Clemson.
— Josh McCuistion (@Josh_Scoop) September 6, 2026
Before Venables: 29-19
With Venables: 121-18
After Venables: 37-17
Losing Brent Venables to Oklahoma was Dabo Swinney's great undoing
Although Elliott is thriving in Virginia, Clemson has had success with other offensive coordinators before and after him. Those would include Chad Morris the first time around, Jeff Scott, and others. However, the impact Venables provided to this defense was the tone-setter that Clemson has been chasing ever since. Tom Allen is a savvy defensive mind, but Venables may have been an all-timer.
When Clemson was at its peak from 2015 through 2020, the Tigers had an SEC roster that competed in the ACC. Yes, they got fabulous quarterback play from icons such as Tajh Boyd, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence. However, Venables was the straw that stirred the drink. His front-sevens were nightmare fuel for any would-be offensive coordinator Clemson would go up against during that time.
Swinney may be a wide receivers coach by trade, but Clemson's previously menacing nature along the defensive line was only rivaled by Nick Saban Alabama and Kirby Smart Georgia at its apex. This is the position group that largely determines if a team is national championship-calilber or not. For a hot minute there, Clemson certainly had a defensive line that could regularly live up to that lofty standard.
Unfortunately, after what we saw transpire on Saturday night, Clemson's greatest strength in 2018 has quickly devolved into its biggest weakness eight years later in 2026. Andy Burburija, Will Heldt, and company could not stop the run versus LSU, allowing the Bayou Bengals to average 5.3 yards per carry. Clemson managed 1.5 yards per rushing attempt during its meager attempt to counter that.
Frankly, this has happened before, and it will happen again. There is always one key assistant who leaves a dynastic program that cannot be overcome. It is not on the same level, but the Stanford Cardinal were no longer the same team under David Shaw once Mike Bloomgren left to go take over at Rice. He was their secret sauce, just like Venables has quickly proven to be just that for Clemson.
While there is a chance Elliott may come back to alma mater, why would Venables ever leave OU now?
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