Clemson Board of Trustees approves new six-year, $27.5 million contract extension for Brad Brownell

Brad Brownell is receiving a raise. The Clemson Board of Trustees has approved a new six-year, $27.5 million contract extension for their men’s basketball coach, according to Chapel Fowler of The State.

“Breaking: Clemson has approved a new six-year, $27.5 million contract extension for MBB coach Brad Brownell,” Fowler reported. “The deal goes through 2031 and raises Brownell’s total salary to $4 million in 2025-26 (a top 25 salary nationally) and $5 million by 2029-30.”

Clemson began working on an extension for Brownell ahead of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Tournament. He was linked to the Indiana Hoosiers job, but opted to reaffirm his commitment to the ACC program, where he’ll remain for the foreseeable future.

Moreover, Brownell 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 292–196 overall under Brownell’s watch, and 146–128 inside the ACC. Last season, he brought the Tigers to the Elite Eight, and they figured to be a tough out in 2025 as well, after a regular season that saw them go 27-6. They matched up with the McNeese State Cowboys, but the Tigers were upset in the First Round.

In addition to his raise, Brownell has a fascinating clause in his contract, per Fowler: “He has the option of stepping down as head coach and becoming a special assistant to the athletic director (at an annual salary of $250,000) for the remainder of his contract,” Fowler added.

“Brownell must exercise that option by April 15 of any given year. His role as special assistant to the AD would include ‘assisting Clemson University (including IPTAY) with fundraising and revenue generating opportunities’ while also assisting Clemson AD Graham Neff as an advisor, per a contract term sheet.

That’s certainly an interesting addition to Brownell’s deal. He’s Clemson through and through, and he couldn’t be more excited to continue in his role: “I remain honored and grateful to have led this program for 15 years and for the opportunity to continue to coach and develop young people in both basketball and life at Clemson,” Brownell said in a news release, via Fowler.

Brad Brownell has built Clemson into a contender, but they’ll be reaching higher than ever over the next couple of seasons. They’re searching for their first ACC title, and it could come under his watch in 2026, after a promising 2024-25 campaign.