Report: Brad Brownell, Clemson 'working to finalize' new six-year contract

Brad Brownell has built the Clemson men’s basketball program from the ground up since taking over the Tigers in 2010. As he prepares to lead them into battle as a No. 5-seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the school is looking to reward him with a new long-term contract.

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported the news on Wednesday: “Sources: Clemson is working to finalize a new six-year contract for Brad Brownell,” Rothstein posted on X. “The Tigers are 27-6 this season and will play McNeese on Thursday in the Round of 64. Brownell led Clemson to the Elite Eight last season.”

The Clemson leader started his coaching career at UNC Wilmington, where he spent four seasons. Then, after four seasons with Wright State, the Tigers came a-calling. Since, it’s been 15 seasons of bliss for the Evansville, Indiana native, as he’s built the ACC program into a contender within one of the more competitive conferences in the entire nation.

All told, Clemson is 292–195 overall under Brownell’s watch, and 146–128 inside the ACC. Last season, he brought the Tigers to the Elite Eight, and they figure to be a tough out this time around as well, after a regular season that saw them go 27-6. They’re matched up with the McNeese State Cowboys in the First Round.

Clemson alum Will Wade will be across the way leading the Tigers’ opponent, Brownell shed some light on their relationship prior to the game: “I know Will a little bit because we’ve obviously been in coaching for a long time,” he said. “But he’s obviously done a great job everywhere he’s been. He’s been very successful at VCU, LSU, and now McNeese. He’s part of the Shaka [Smart] tree in terms of how they play. Very aggressive and very good defensively. And change defenses and excellent offensive rebounding team. 

“They’ve got a bunch of good high major transfers and good players that are used to winning. They’ve been winning there a lot the last couple years. So, they’ll come in feeling good about themselves as well.”

Even though it’s impressive what McNeese State has accomplished, Clemson will be expected to come out of their clash victorious. After all, they’re the No. 5-seed, and there’s potential for a bit of a run with the way the bracket shook out for the Tigers.

Time will tell how Clemson fares in the NCAA Tournament, but Brad Brownell will get to continue building the program far beyond this season. That should excite Tigers fans, as the sky is the limit for the ACC team.