Clemson Tigers Expected to Hire Veteran NFL Special Teams Coordinator

Longtime NFL special teams coach Rich Bisaccia is expected to join Dabo Swinney's staff at Clemson.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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After months of searching, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is close to hiring longtime NFL special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to lead the Tigers' special teams unit. Bisaccia, who has nearly four decades of coaching experience across the professional and collegiate ranks, most recently served as the special teams coordinator and assistant head coach for the Green Bay Packers.

Why it matters

Clemson's special teams unit has been a collaborative effort among multiple assistant coaches in recent years. Bringing in an experienced special teams coordinator like Bisaccia could help consolidate the leadership of that unit and improve the Tigers' performance in the third phase of the game.

The details

Bisaccia has spent the past two decades coaching in the NFL, serving as the special teams coordinator and assistant head coach for several teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and most recently, the Green Bay Packers. He was even named the Raiders' interim head coach in 2021, leading the team to a 7-5 record and a playoff berth. Prior to his NFL career, Bisaccia had nearly 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including a stint at Clemson from 1994 to 1998 as the running backs and special teams coach.

  • Bisaccia stepped down from his roles with the Green Bay Packers on February 17, 2026.
  • Dabo Swinney hinted at the hire during a press conference last week, saying he was "close" to finalizing a decision.

The players

Dabo Swinney

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers football team.

Rich Bisaccia

A veteran NFL special teams coordinator with nearly four decades of coaching experience across the professional and collegiate ranks.

Will Gilchrist

The former Clemson special teams coordinator who departed for Samford.

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What they’re saying

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