Who’s leaving Clemson for Samford? 7 Tigers coaches announce new roles
John Grass’ first coaching staff at Samford is coming together, and a number of Clemson football staffers are following the former analyst to Alabama.
Grass was announced as the head coach at FCS Samford (located outside Birmingham) on Dec. 3. He officially assumed that role on Dec. 28, the day after Clemson’s Pinstripe Bowl loss to Penn State at Yankee Stadium in New York.
The following Clemson football support staffers will work for Grass at Samford, according to updated info on their social media profiles and Samford’s website:
- Mickey Conn (defensive coordinator)
- Paul Tyson (quarterbacks coach)
- Drew Swinney (wide receivers coach)
- Brandon Thomas (offensive line coach)
- Montralius Mosley Jr. (running backs coach/chief of staff)
- Andrew Zow (TBA)
- Will Gilchrist (special teams)
This is not a comprehensive list and could grow in coming days or weeks. Samford has not formally announced Grass’ entire coaching staff as of Thursday.
Conn is the most notable addition. He was fired as Clemson safeties coach on Monday after spending a decade on staff. Clemson will pay Conn the difference between his remaining Clemson salary and Samford salary through 2027.
Gilchrist is also an interesting departure, as Swinney tabbed him as Clemson’s primary special teams coach in 2024 after Bill Spiers’ retirement. Gilchrist spent two seasons in that role with the Tigers but will now go to the FCS level.
Thomas and Tyson both played football at Clemson. Drew Swinney is the middle son of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and was a walk-on wide receiver and holder for the Tigers from 2018-22. He was on staff as an assistant receivers coach.
Dabo’s oldest son, Will, remains on staff as an assistant tight ends coach. Clay, the youngest of Dabo and Kathleen Swinney’s three children, is currently a redshirt junior receiver and the team’s starting holder for field goals and extra points.
“I’m excited for Drew,” Swinney said earlier this month. “It’s gonna be a great next step. ... He’s so prepared. He’s a stud. I know he’s my son, but he’s a stud.”
Samford’s staff also includes a strength and conditioning coach with a Clemson connection. Jake Venables, the older son of former Clemson defensive coordinator and now-Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, will be Samford’s lead S&C coach after working as associate director of sports performance at nearby UAB.
Jakes Venables played linebacker at Clemson from 2018-21.
John Grass’ hiring at Samford
Grass (pronounced like “floss,” not “grass”) initially joined Clemson in 2021 ahead of the Cheez-It Bowl after resigning mid-season at Jax State, another school in Alabama. Grass was 72-26 at the FCS school from 2014-21 (Jax State has since transitioned to the FBS level). He also coached 22 years in Alabama high school football.
The 2025 season was Grass’ fourth season assisting Clemson’s offense in a full-time capacity. He was most recently listed as a senior offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach and made $200,000 in annual salary, according to Clemson’s publicly available salary records.
Swinney played an active role in the hiring process and spoke to Samford’s athletic director about Grass before he was hired. Swinney said earlier this month that he was excited for everyone on his staff leaving for Samford.
“I’m really happy for him,” Swinney said of Grass’ hiring on Dec. 15. “And then, through that, we’ve got a lot of auxiliary staff that have gotten some opportunity, and that’s been really, really cool.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Who’s leaving Clemson for Samford? 7 Tigers coaches announce new roles."
