Clemson losing defensive line coach and key recruiter to Oklahoma, reports say
Clemson assistant coach Todd Bates is leaving to be the Oklahoma Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator, according to reports on Monday — just two weeks after receiving a raise and promotion as the Tigers’ assistant head coach.
The addition of the assistant head coach title at Clemson came Dec. 14 with a $200,000 raise for a contract that went through 2024. Bates heads to Oklahoma to join former Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who took the Sooners’ head coaching position on Dec. 5.
The news was first reported Monday by Rivals’ Larry Williams along with other national media outlets.
Defensive analyst Ted Roof; defensive assistant Miguel Chavis; and director of player development, freshman transition and external affairs Thad Turnipseed have also made the move from Clemson to Oklahoma. Roof will be the Sooners’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Chavis will serve as the defensive ends coach and Turnipseed is now the Sooners’ chief of staff.
Bates played a key role in the Tigers’ recruiting. The Alabama alum was named Rivals’ Recruiter of the Year in 2019 as Clemson’s 2020 group was named the No. 1 class by ESPN, ranked second by Rivals and third according to the 247Sports’ Composite rankings. That class included Bryan Bresee, who became the program’s second-ever ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Dexter Lawrence, also coached by Bates, was the other.
Bates arrived at Clemson in 2017 as the defensive line coach after holding the same position at Jacksonville State for three years prior. In 2018, he was named the defensive tackles coach and added recruiting coordinator to his responsibilities after the 2019 season.
Between the two schools, every primary starter he’s coached earned at least one all-conference selection. While at Clemson, he helped Christian Wilkins, a first-round NFL Draft pick, to become the program’s fifth unanimous All-American in 2018 as he, Lawrence, Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell all were taken in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Bates and Venables leaving for Oklahoma are two of the changes for Dabo Swinney’s staff. Former offensive coordinator Tony Elliott left to be the Virginia head coach. Offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell is retiring from an on-field role.
Bates’ newest Clemson contract was set to pay him $750,000 a year.
Clemson coaching staff changes
- Departures: defensive coordinator Brent Venables to Oklahoma as head coach; offensive coordinator Tony Elliott to Virginia head coach; defensive line coach/assistant head coach Todd Bates to Oklahoma as co-defensive coordinator
- Retirement: Robbie Caldwell, offensive line
- Promotions: Clemson quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter named offensive coordinator; defensive analyst Wes Goodwin promoted to defensive coordinator; safeties coach Mickey Conn now co-defensive coordinator. ... Defensive line coach Todd Bates received a promotion to assistant head coach. Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed added special teams coordinator role. Kyle Richardson, who was the Tigers’ special assistant to the offense and director of high school relations, was promoted to an on-field role to coach the tight ends. ... Offensive analyst Thomas Austin to be promoted to offensive line coach.
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 1:33 PM.
