CLEMSON — When Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney was gathering offensive coordinator candidates in December, he called a familiar friend.
That person was Chad Morris, who previously served as Clemson‘s offensive coordinator from 2011-14 and became good friends with Swinney. So much so, Morris said on the “2 Right Turns” podcast that he told Swinney, “Your list is one, and that’s me” during his offensive coordinator search.
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Morris was eventually rehired as Clemson’s offensive coordinator on Jan. 5, replacing Garrett Riley who was fired on Dec. 29 after three seasons. Morris explained why he was so confident he could thrive in the role despite not calling plays since 2020 when he was Auburn’s offensive coordinator.
“We’ve done it before,” Morris said Feb. 27 after Clemson’s second day of spring practice. “Coaches can complicate this game pretty quick. It’s real simple. Let’s get the ball to our playmakers, and let’s try to get our playmakers in space.
“… I’m extremely confident in what we do and what we’re capable of doing.”
This is Morris’ third stint with Clemson after being the team’s offensive coordinator previously and returning to serve as an offensive analyst in 2023.
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He looks to get Clemson’s offense back on track after the unit contributed to the team’s 7-6 record in 2025, which was the second-worst season in Swinney’s full 17 seasons. The Tigers missed the ACC championship and College Football Playoff in 2025 despite being preseason favorites to make both.
Clemson averaged 27.2 points (72nd in FBS) in 2025. It was a drop from 2024 where the Tigers averaged 34.7 points (18th) to win the ACC and make the CFP.
Morris said he doesn’t know why Clemson’s offense sputtered last season despite having veterans, including quarterback Cade Klubnik, wide receiver Antonio Williams and offensive tackle Blake Miller.
MORE: What Dabo Swinney said about NCAA tampering investigation, Ole Miss’ Pete Golding
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Morris credited the “little things,” including dropped passes, missing a blocking assignment and not going through progressions, as ailments that have doomed Clemson last year and past seasons.
Morris said he is striving to make sure those miscues don’t exist in 2026.
“We’re not letting anything slide. Nothing slides,” Morris said. “Nothing’s going to slide from the staff to the players.”
Where Chris Johnson Jr. fits in Clemson, Chad Morris’ offense
Morris made it clear that Clemson will make it an emphasis to run the ball and sees it as a committee approach with so many running backs on the roster.
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“There’s no way you can just keep one guy then go,” Morris said. “You got to have a stable of guys in that room.”
Among Gideon Davidson, David Eziomume, Jay Haynes and Jarvis Green is SMU transfer running back Chris Johnson Jr. The portal player was Clemson’s top offensive addition who carries a wealth of speed and athleticism.
Morris said Johnson is learning Clemson’s new offense like the rest of the unit, but he has “great hands” and is “dynamic with a ball in space.”
Swinney labeled Clemson’s run game an issue in 2025 after the team averaged just 124.5 rushing yards per game (105th nationally).
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How Chad Morris helped convince Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore to stay at Clemson
Clemson retained star wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore despite both having the opportunity to transfer with the loss of so many offensive starters, including Klubnik, and Riley being fired.
Yet, both stayed as Morris pointed to his track record of developing wideouts who produce then go to the NFL, including Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, to help convince them to stay.
“We’re going to put you in a situation to be successful and explosive,” Morris said. “It’s proven. Give me a chance, but I also shared with them, ‘You got to do your part, too.’ “
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Wesco recorded 31 catches for 537 yards and six touchdowns in seven games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending back injury in October. He is back for spring practice but will not participate in live contact.
Moore led Clemson in receiving yards with 837 and caught 52 catches for four touchdowns last season.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why Chad Morris was confident he could be Clemson football OC again
