Riley Addresses Potential Future Head Coaching Job

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has spoken in the past about his desire to become a head coach down the road, and he addressed that topic again Tuesday during Dabo Swinney’s Media Outing at the Allen Reeves Football Complex.

Right now, Riley is focused on his current role in charge of Clemson’s offense. At the same time, the 34-year-old has a long-term vision in terms of his career trajectory.

“You have long-term goals and try to set out some things for yourself in your professional career and life,” Riley said. “But I definitely am one of those that man, wherever I’m at, I’m there. If something happens, we’ll see. But I’m certainly happy with where I’m at.”

Riley, who is entering his second season as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, has learned a lot while working alongside Swinney by seeing how he goes about his business as a head coach and runs his program.

“Just a lot of organizational things, and obviously the program and just the way he carries himself and how consistent he is every single day. Those are things that certainly stick out,” Riley said. “It’s definitely been a joy to just be a sponge and be around him, as well as a lot of the other staff that have been here a long time. It’s been great.”

The 2022 Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant coach, Riley joined Clemson in January 2023 from TCU, where he served as the team’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in helping lead the Horned Frogs to a 13-2 record, a Fiesta Bowl title and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2022.

Although Clemson’s offense wasn’t as prolific as many expected entering last season, Riley still led Clemson to a No. 15 national rank in first downs per game (23.4), the ninth-best mark in school history. Clemson’s 76.8 plays per game represented its highest average since 2016 (81.4), and the Tigers finished fifth in the nation in average time of possession per game (33:19), their highest ranking and largest average since 1989.

This offseason, Riley was named to CBS Sports’ list of coordinators to watch as possible head coaching candidates in 2024.

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