Clemson Hires Veteran NFL Special Teams Coach

Rich Bisaccia returns to Clemson after previous stint in the 1990s

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Clemson University has announced the hiring of veteran NFL special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to the same role with the Tigers. Bisaccia previously worked with Clemson's running backs and special teams from 1994-1998 and is now rejoining the program after most recently serving in the same capacity with the Green Bay Packers.

Why it matters

Bisaccia brings over 25 years of NFL coaching experience to Clemson, including stints as a special teams coordinator for several high-profile teams. His addition is expected to provide a major boost to the Tigers' special teams units as they look to compete at the highest level in the ACC and nationally.

The details

Bisaccia will take over the special teams coordinator role from Will Gilchrist, who is now an assistant coach at Samford University. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney expressed excitement about Bisaccia's return to the program, noting that the timing and rule changes finally allowed them to bring him on board after previous attempts.

  • Bisaccia joined the Green Bay Packers as special teams coordinator in February 2022.
  • In March 2023, Bisaccia added the assistant head coach title with the Packers.

The players

Rich Bisaccia

A veteran NFL special teams coordinator who has worked for several high-profile teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders. He also served as the interim head coach for the Raiders in 2021.

Dabo Swinney

The head football coach at Clemson University, who expressed excitement about bringing Bisaccia onto his staff after previous attempts to do so.

Will Gilchrist

The former Clemson special teams coordinator, who is now an assistant coach at Samford University.

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What they’re saying

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with the young men in the Clemson football program and be part of a tremendous staff. After I made the decision to move in a new direction, Coach (Dabo) Swinney approached me with the opportunity to come back to a place that holds special meaning for me and my family.”

— Rich Bisaccia (statenews.net)

“I've gotten to know him over the years, and we've actually talked a couple of different times about the possibility of him joining our staff. It just never really could work out from a timing standpoint or because the way the rules were set up in college. But with the changing of the rules to allow everybody to coach on the field and where he was in his career, he really wanted to finish here at Clemson. I'm super excited it worked out for us too, because this is as good a special teams coach as there has been in the NFL for a long, long time.”

— Dabo Swinney, Head Football Coach, Clemson University (statenews.net)

What’s next

Bisaccia will begin his duties as Clemson's special teams coordinator immediately, working to prepare the Tigers' special teams units for the upcoming 2026 season.

The takeaway

Clemson's addition of veteran NFL special teams coach Rich Bisaccia is a significant coup for the program, as they bring in an experienced and highly-regarded coach to lead their special teams. Bisaccia's return to Clemson, where he previously worked in the 1990s, is a homecoming of sorts and should provide a major boost to the Tigers' special teams performance in the years to come.