Clemson Extends Brad Brownell After Indiana Coaching Search Speculation

The Tigers appear set to keep their coach around for the foreseeable future.

Brad Brownell paces during the ACC tournament. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

In 15 years with Clemson, coach Brad Brownell has quietly become a university institution—and it appears he isn't done yet.

The Tigers are extending Brownell through the 2031 season, according to a Wednesday morning report from Pete Thamel of ESPN. The reported deal comes a little over 24 hours before Clemson plays McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament.

Brownell, 56, had been noted as a possible candidate for the Indiana job—which went to ex-West Virginia boss Darian DeVries Tuesday. An Evansville native, he played collegiately for DePauw and served as an assistant at Evansville and Indianapolis.

Sources: Clemson is finalizing a new six-year deal for coach Brad Brownell that will keep him at the school through 2031. He led Clemson to the Elite Eight last year. The deal is pending board approval and should be finalized in the near future.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 19, 2025

Under Brownell, the Tigers have become consistent hoops winners. They've made five NCAA tournaments, and reached the Sweet 16 in 2018 and Elite Eight in 2024. Brownell has become far and away the school's winningest coach with 292 victories.

This year, Clemson went 27–6 with wins over then-No. 4 Kentucky on Dec. 3 and then-No. 2 Duke on Feb. 8.

---

More College Basketball on Sports Illustrated

•

LSU’s Kim Mulkey Had Priceless Reaction to Her Grandkid Messing Up Her Postgame Interview

•

SI:AM | Plenty of Intrigue As Women’s Sweet 16 Is Set

•

Mississippi State Coach Defends His Team After JuJu Watkins's Devastating Injury

•

Rebecca Lobo Gives Sobering Take on USC's Title Chances Following JuJu Watkins Injury

•

USC Coach Had Powerful Postgame Message to Team After JuJu Watkins’s Injury