Following Clemson’s return to the College Football Playoff, head coach Dabo Swinney opted to shake things up, both on his staff and within the program’s overall structure.
Swinney dismissed former defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and brought in Tom Allen from Penn State, aiming to spark a resurgence and restore the Tigers to national prominence.
In a notable shift from his usual approach, Swinney also embraced the transfer portal to bring in position players for the first time during his tenure.
Looking ahead, Swinney is now preparing for another staff transition following the 2025 season.
As reported by Jon Blau of The Post and Courier, long-time strength and conditioning director Joey Batson has informed the team that he plans to retire at the conclusion of the upcoming season.
Batson is entering his 29th year in the role, having built a legacy that spans nearly three decades.
A former football player at The Citadel and later Newberry College, Batson earned his Master’s in education from Clemson before launching a career in strength training that once earned him national recognition.
He began his Clemson journey as a graduate assistant from 1985–88 before becoming Furman’s first full-time director of strength training. He later returned to Clemson, serving under three different head coaches—a testament to his lasting impact on the program.
Batson’s departure will be a significant loss for Clemson. Widely respected in his field, he’s known for pioneering strength and conditioning methods and mentoring many former assistants who’ve gone on to lead programs of their own.
As of now, it remains unclear who will succeed him in the role.
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