Brownell Finally Got Deal He Deserved - Clemson coach can make $20 million over the next five years

CLEMSON — It took a little longer than usual, but Clemson University and men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell finally worked out a new deal after he took the Tigers to the Elite Eight Round of the NCAA Tournament this past season.

Clemson’s Board of Trustees Compensation Committee officially approved Brownell’s new five-year $20 million deal on Thursday at the Madren Center in Clemson. His total compensation in 2024-’25 will be $3.5 million, followed by $3.75 million in 2025-’26, $4 million in 2026-’27, $4.25 million in 2027-’28 and $4.5 million in 2028-’29.

Brownell enters his 15th season in charge of the Clemson men’s basketball program. The program’s winningest coach took the Tigers to the Elite Eight last season, to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, to the Sweet 16 in 2018 and to the 2011 NCAA Tournament. He has also guided the program to three NIT appearances.

He is No. 1 in Clemson coaching history in terms of winning percentage against ACC competition and his 128 regular season wins over ACC teams are the most in program history. Clemson’s run to the Elite Eight was just the second in school history and the first in 44 years.

The Tigers also won at No. 3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, just the second time that has happened, both under Brownell’s leadership.

If Clemson terminates Brownell without Cause it shall pay him the amount below for the year of the termination, payable, at the election of University in a regular payment schedule over the remaining term of the contract.

No mitigation required.

Termination occurs between 5/1/24 – 4/30/26: 50-pecent of remaining total. If Compensation Termination occurs between 5/1/26 – 4/30/29: 37.5-percent of remaining total compensation.

Should Brownell accept another head coaching position at another school, he shall pay Clemson the amount below for the year of the termination (within 90 days):

Termination in contract year 5/1/24 – 4/30/26: 20-percent of remaining total compensation. Termination in contract year 5/1/25 – 4/30/28: 15-percent of remaining total compensation. Termination in contract year 5/1/28 – 4/30/29: not applicable.

Note, his contract year is each period of May 1-April 30, according to the terms of the deal.

This past year, Clemson upended New Mexico, Baylor and Arizona en route to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, the first for the program since the 1979-’80 season.

The Tigers have won 47 games over the last two seasons, the second-most in program history, while also posting a .625 (25-15) win percentage in the ACC over that same time period. That is the highest in consecutive seasons in program history.

Since 2017-18, the Tigers are fourth in the ACC in wins (141) and fifth in league wins (72).

Speaking of performance, Brownell can make up to $1.250 million if the Tigers are the top seed in the ACC Tournament, win the ACC Tournament, make it to a Final Four and win the NCAA Championship.

If Clemson is an ACC Regular season champion, he will earn $300,000 and $200,000 if they win an ACC Tournament Championship. He can make $750,000 in bonuses for advancing and winning an NCAA Tournament.

There are also built in incentives for winning an NIT Championship, earning Coach of the Year honors (ACC and Nationally) and APR achievements.