Clemson’s Tony Elliott responds to being linked to TCU coaching search
Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott told The State on Monday that any reports linking him to the vacant TCU head coaching job are “just people speculating.”
Elliott has been linked to the TCU football job by multiple media outlets since coach Gary Patterson and the school parted ways at the end of October after more than 20 years.
“I’m focused on the season,” Elliott said. “If I start talking about that, then I gotta talk about every one that I’m mentioned for. I guess there was an article that was written on one of the top guys, so my name comes up for every job. If there’s ever something really serious and it gets to that point, then I’ll be able to talk about it. But right now that’s just people speculating.”
While Elliott has come under fire this season because of Clemson’s offensive performances, he’s been reported as being on the list of candidates for the head coaching position with the Horned Frogs.
247Sports is among the outlets to report that TCU wants to interview Elliott for the job. A report by SBNation’s TCU site said Elliott interviewed with the school last week.
The others reported to be on TCU’s target list include SMU head coach Sonny Dykes, who is considered the front-runner by many reports; University of Texas at San Antonio head coach Jeff Traylor; Louisiana head coach Billy Napier, who Elliott replaced at Clemson in 2011; as well as former Dallas Cowboy and current Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, among others.
TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati told reporters not only said that someone with offensive ties is “more natural” as the school’s next coach, but also mentioned the importance of having a diverse pool of candidates, both of which are boxes that Elliott checks.
It wouldn’t be the first time the former Tigers player has been considered for a head coaching position in general, let alone in the last year.
Elliott, who was named Clemson’s associate head coach and switched from coaching running backs to tight ends in February, found his name mentioned for Auburn’s head coaching job in December and turned down Tennessee’s opening during the offseason.
“At the end of the day, when I put everything on the table, it just wasn’t the right time,” Elliott said in March. “And so I’m just so happy to be in an environment where people embrace me even though I was going through that. Showing me support one way or another. Having an opportunity to have those conversations with coach (Dabo) Swinney just strengthens our relationship even more.”
During his time with Clemson, the Tigers’ offensive coordinator receiver the 2017 Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach, was named FootballScoop’s running backs coach of the year in 2017 and one of the top-25 recruiters in the nation in 2015 and one of the top-10 recruiters in the ACC by Rivals. Prior to the 2021 season, the Tigers have gone 121-18 since he returned in 2011.
A number of assistants have landed head coaching opportunities after working under Dabo Swinney at Clemson. That list includes Napier, Jeff Scott (University of South Florida) and Chad Morris, who was at Arkansas but is now coaching at Allen High School in Texas.
Colleges typically like to have new head coaches in place by early December and before the early signing period for recruiting begins — that period begins this year on Dec. 15.
Clemson (6-3) still has three games left in the regular season. The Tigers host UConn at noon Saturday (ACC Network), then hosts Wake Forest before wrapping up with the finale at South Carolina.
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 1:17 PM.
