CLEMSON, S.C. – Head Coaches Brad Brownell, Mike Noonan, Eddie Radwanski, Erik Bakich and Kelley Hester agreed to new contracts with Clemson University in a move that was approved by the Board of Trustees Compensation Committee. Brownell, Noonan, Radwanski and Hester each led their programs to Elite Eights or better, the first time four Clemson sports advanced that far in the NCAA Tournament since 1979-80.
“Some of the keys to our historic broad-based success in recent years is leadership and alignment, and these coaches embody those values,” said Director of Athletics Graham Neff. “In addition to countless accolades on the field, each of these leaders run programs built upon integrity and academic excellence. In an evolving environment, stability is critical, and provides Clemson the opportunity to compete nationally.”
Clemson has seen exceptional broad-based success recently with records in academics and athletics. In 2022-23, Clemson won four ACC Championships in a single year for the first time since 1998-99, and in 2023-24 advanced to four Elite Eights in the same year for the first time since 1979-80. Clemson has also seen record fundraising and launched two new women’s sports, lacrosse and gymnastics.
Brownell and the Men’s Basketball program upended New Mexico, Baylor and Arizona en route to the Elite Eight, the first for the program since 1979-80. The Tigers have won 47 games over the last two seasons, the second-most in program history, while also posting a .625 (25-15) win percentage in the ACC over that same time period. That is the highest in consecutive seasons in program history. Since 2017-18, the Tigers are fourth in the ACC in wins (141) and fifth in league wins (72).
Hester’s golf team, one season removed from its first ACC Championship, again advanced to the ACC finals and followed that with an appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals in match play, the first time a Clemson golf program has accomplished the feat in the format.
Bakich’s team, the No. 6 national seed, won Clemson’s first Regional Championship since 2010.
Baseball assistant Coaches Nick Schnabel and Jimmy Belanger, and basketball assistants Dick Bender, Sean Dixon and Billy Donlon also received new contracts.
Head Coach Bios (alphabetical):
Erik Bakich is entering his third season as Head Baseball Coach, where he has directed Clemson to 88 wins, 11th most in the nation in the last two years. His program has hosted an NCAA Regional in both 2023 and 2024, one of…
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