Clemson Rebuilds Basketball Staff After Offseason Departures

Head coach Brad Brownell adds experienced coaches and a new GM ahead of key transfer portal window

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of Clemson's signature orange, purple, and white colors, conceptually representing the team's efforts to rebuild its coaching staff and roster through the transfer portal.Clemson's coaching staff overhaul aims to provide stability and experience as the Tigers navigate the transfer portal.Today in Tampa

Clemson men's basketball has undergone a significant staff overhaul this offseason, with head coach Brad Brownell losing five total members of his coaching staff. To fill these vacancies, Brownell has hired experienced coaches Chris Hollender and Tyler Murray, the latter of whom will serve as the team's new general manager to help navigate the transfer portal.

Why it matters

Clemson is looking to build on its recent NCAA Tournament appearance, and maintaining coaching continuity is crucial, especially with the transfer portal window now open. The new hires bring a wealth of high-major experience that should help the Tigers remain competitive in the ACC.

The details

Hollender, who has nearly a decade of experience at the high-major level, including stints at Missouri and Mississippi State, is expected to be the final assistant coach hired. Meanwhile, Murray, who previously served as the associate head coach at Samford and had a successful run at Lipscomb, will take over as Clemson's new general manager to help the team pursue players in the transfer portal. These hires come after the departures of several key staff members, including general manager Lucas McKay, who left for Oklahoma, and assistant coach Sean Dixon, who joined Louisville's staff.

  • Clemson's season ended a few weeks ago in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
  • The transfer portal is now open for the next two weeks.

The players

Brad Brownell

Clemson's head basketball coach.

Chris Hollender

An experienced coach with nearly a decade of high-major experience, including stints at Missouri and Mississippi State. He is expected to be the final assistant coach hired on Brownell's staff.

Tyler Murray

The new general manager for Clemson basketball, previously serving as the associate head coach at Samford and having a successful run at Lipscomb.

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What’s next

Clemson will now focus on utilizing the new staff, including the general manager, to navigate the transfer portal and build the roster for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Clemson has moved quickly to rebuild its coaching staff after several key departures, bringing in experienced high-major coaches to provide stability and leadership as the team looks to build on its recent NCAA Tournament appearance. The new general manager role will be crucial in helping the Tigers navigate the transfer portal and assemble a competitive roster for the 2026-27 season.