Tony Elliott is newest $2 million man as Clemson assistants receive new deals
Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott joined the $2 million club on Thursday after a raise in pay was approved by the Clemson board of trustees.
Elliott received a salary bump from $1.7 million to $2 million annually. His new deal begins July 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2026.
Elliott received a raise and extension after he was pursued for several head coaching positions this offseason, most recently the Tennessee job.
“We were so happy to retain Coach Elliott. He had opportunities, but we wanted to make sure that he stayed here,” Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a statement. “We’re glad to have him, and I know he’s happy to be here as well.”
There were only five assistants in the country who received at least $2 million in 2020, according to USA Today. One of those was Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who made $2.4 million. Three of the others are no longer in their roles: Alabama’s Steve Sarkisian is now the head coach at Texas, Auburn’s Kevin Steele is now making $450,000 as an assistant at Tennessee and Bo Pelini was fired by LSU.
With Venables and Elliott each set to make at least $2 million moving forward, it allows them to be very picky when it comes to head coaching jobs. They are making more than most non-Power 5 head coaches, according to the USA Today database.
“There’s a great commitment. Football does an awful lot for Clemson as a university, certainly for us as an athletics program,” Radakovich said.
Clemson passing game coordinator Brandon Streeter received a raise Thursday, as well, receiving an increase from $590,000 to $615,000. Streeter also had opportunities elsewhere, Radakovich said.
Former Tigers star running back C.J. Spiller also joined Clemson’s staff officially. Spiller will work as Clemson’s running backs coach and will make $300,000 per year.
He is replacing Danny Pearman, who is moving into a director of football scouting role. Pearman previously served as Clemson’s tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. With the change, Pearman’s salary is dropping from $545,000 to $250,000.
“I think C.J. will do great. Dabo and I had talked about that. He had wanted for a while to see how he could keep C.J. in the program,” Radakovich said. “When you look at all the different changes that are going on in college football, the idea of creating a director of college scouting, I think that’s going to be another position that becomes very normal within large athletic programs. Danny’s uniquely set to do that, and it allowed the opportunity for C.J. to move into a full-time role. It really worked out well for everyone.”
All other Clemson assistants had one year added to their deals but did not receive raises.
The total compensation for Clemson’s assistants for 2020 was $8.145 million. It will increase slightly to $8.325 million for 2021.
Clemson football staff
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables — $2.4 million (4-year deal)
Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott — $2 million (5-year deal)
Offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell — $640,000 (2-year deal)
Passing game coordinator Brandon Streeter — $615,000 (2-year deal)
Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed — $540,000 (2-year deal)
Defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Todd Bates — $515,000 (2-year deal)
Safeties coach Mickey Conn — $515,000 (2-year deal)
Defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall — $500,000 (2-year deal)
Wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham — $300,000 (2-year deal)
Running backs coach C.J. Spiller — $300,000 (2-year deal)
This story was originally published February 4, 2021 at 8:56 AM.
