Clemson football set to hire former NFL special teams coach, reports say
Dabo Swinney and Clemson football are set to hire a former NFL special teams coordinator to their coaching staff, according to multiple reports.
As first reported by TigerIllustrated.com, Clemson is expected to hire former NFL teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to the same role. TigerNet and The Clemson Insider also reported Monday that Bisaccia is set to join Clemson.
Veteran sports journalist Gery Woelfel also reported Sunday night from the NFL Combine, citing sources, that Bisaccia had been in “serious talks” about joining Clemson and was a longtime friend of Swinney’s.
Clemson announced late Monday that its university board of trustees compensation committee would meet virtually Wednesday morning with one action item: Reviewing and approving a football coaching contract.
Bisaccia, 65, was most recently the Packers’ special teams coordinator from 2023-25 before unexpectedly stepping down after the season. He worked in the same job for four other NFL teams and was the Raiders’ interim coach in 2021.
Bisaccia worked at Clemson from 1994-98 as running backs coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator under then-coach Tommy West. He also worked for South Carolina in various roles from 1998-93.
Bisaccia had worked almost exclusively in the NFL since 2002.
The Tigers needed a new special teams coach after former director of special teams Will Gilchrist left to work at Samford this offseason. That lateral move to an FCS school was reportedly because Swinney encouraged Gilchrist to look for employment elsewhere, per TigerIllustrated.com.
Clemson’s recent special teams struggles
Clemson’s special teams under Gilchrist were shaky in 2024-25. The Tigers allowed eight blocked field goals/extra points in 2024, tied with Northern Illinois for worst nationally among 132 teams, and had some high-profile errors in 2025.
Syracuse caught Clemson off guard with a surprise onside kick in the first quarter of a September game; Duke had a deflating a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter of a November game; and Clemson punter Jack Smith badly botched a fake punt pass early in December’s Pinstripe Bowl loss to Penn State.
After each error, Swinney wasn’t shy about publicly expressing his frustration with the special teams unit. He said last week he was “close” to finalizing a hire.
Clemson is currently in the middle of 2026 spring practice. The Tigers went 7-6 last season, Swinney’s worst record since 2010, and were 4-4 in the ACC.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 1:39 PM.
