Two Clemson football assistant coaches are getting big pay raises this year after spearheading a strong defensive effort during the 2023 season.
Tigers defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and associate head coach/defensive tackles coach Nick Eason will both make over $1 million in annual salary starting in 2024, according to contracts approved Friday by the Clemson board of trustees compensation committee.
Entering his third year as defensive coordinator, Goodwin will make $1.4 million in 2024 as part of a new three-year deal. Eason, another third-year coach who also holds an associate head coach title, will make $1.1 million this year.
Goodwin and Eason were previously earning $850,000 and $800,000, respectively. Their salary bumps put them above offensive line coach Matt Luke ($975,000) and defensive ends coach Chris Rumph ($950,000), who were hired in December.
As part of a routine re-upping of football assistant coach and support staff contracts, the rest of Clemson football’s returning assistant coaches also got one-year extensions and five more assistants outside of Goodwin and Eason also got raises. That was a change from last year, as only two of nine returning assistants got raises.
Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley remains the Tigers’ highest paid assistant coach and will make $1.75 million in 2024. Of eight returning assistant coaches (everyone outside Luke and Rumph), Riley was the only who didn’t get a raise.
The contracts were presented by athletic director Graham Neff and approved Friday as part of the Clemson board of trustees’ winter quarterly meeting, held off site at one of the university’s “innovation campuses” in North Charleston.
Coach Dabo Swinney remains on a 10-year, $115 million deal that keeps him under contract through 2031. Swinney will make $11 million before bonuses in 2024, according to his contract.
All of his assistant coaches are now under contract through at least 2026. The committee also approved extensions for various football support staffers, including longtime strength and conditioning coordinator Joey Batson.
Clemson finished the 2023 season at 9-4, snapping a 12-year streak of 10 or more wins but finishing with a flourish. The Tigers won their last five games after a 4-4 start and beat Kentucky in a thrilling Gator Bowl in Jacksonville to end the season.
Clemson’s defense under Goodwin and Eason was a big part of that. The Tigers tied for the national lead in turnovers forced with 28 and ranked among the country’s top 10 in total defense and passing defense.
Clemson’s team is currently back on campus, taking classes and participating in winter workouts. The Tigers will start spring practice next month, and their annual spring game is set for Saturday April 16 at Memorial Stadium.
Clemson football 2024 assistant coach salaries
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Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley: $1.75 million (no change)
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Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin: $1.4 million (up from $850,000)
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Defensive line coach Nick Eason: $1.1 million (up from $800,00)
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Offensive line coach Matt Luke: $975,000
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Defensive ends coach Chris Rumph: $950,000
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Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed: $900,000 (up from $800,000)
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Safeties coach Mickey Conn: $900,000 (up from $800,000)
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Tight ends coach Kyle Richardson: $600,000 (up from $500,000)
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Running backs coach C.J. Spiller: $550,000 (up from $450,000)
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Wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham: $550,000 ($450,000)
