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SPILLER BECOMES ONE OF 10 FULL-TIME ASSISTANT COACHES

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CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Dabo Swinney formally announced today that C.J. Spiller has been named as Clemson’s running backs coach. The hire was officially approved by the Clemson University Board of Trustees Compensation Committee on Thursday.

Kansas City Chiefs tickets are available on StubHub from $20. Regular tickets, VIP tickets, and Kansas City Chiefs's schedule for the 2020 NFL season. With Kansas City's win over Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game, a trio of former Clemson Tigers will be attempting to win a second straight Super Bowl. The Tigers took on ACC rival Florida State in week 3 of their season only to suffer a loss in overtime as No. 22 Clemson lost to No. 1 Florida State 17–23. The Tigers then claimed a six-game winning streak in the middle of their season but lost to Georgia Tech as star freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson went out with a knee injury early in. He played eight NFL seasons with the Bills, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2012. He and college teammate Jacoby Ford are the only Clemson products to record multiple rushing touchdowns, multiple receiving touchdowns and multiple kick return touchdowns during an NFL career.

Spiller assumes leadership of Clemson’s running backs, a role previously held by Tony Elliott, who now assumes the title of Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach.

“[Spiller] is one of the greatest ambassadors that we’ve had for our program for a long time and now for him to be able to come back and be able to sow seeds into these young men and teach all the things he’s learned throughout his career, there’s not a guy on this staff that’s more committed and more ALL IN for Clemson than C.J. Spiller, that’s for sure,” Swinney said. “To have C.J. out on the road recruiting and have him leading these young men day in and day out is something I’m really, really excited about, and I can’t wait to see him take the field this spring leading that group.”

Spiller joins Clemson’s staff on a full-time basis after joining the program as an unpaid coaching intern in 2020 while pursuing his Master’s degree in athletic leadership. Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Spiller was one of the most decorated players in Clemson history, earning selection last month for induction in the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

“I’m definitely excited for this job and express my gratitude to Coach Swinney, Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich and the Board of Trustees, and I thank them for trusting me with the opportunity to have an impact on these young men’s lives and represent our university in a first-class manner,” Spiller said. “It doesn’t happen very often that you’re able to coach at your alma mater, especially in your first gig, and for me to have that opportunity, I don’t take it lightly. I’m just ecstatic about getting started.”

Spiller’s historic Clemson playing career covered 2006-09, including a senior campaign in which won ACC Player of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-American en route to finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. That year, he joined Reggie Bush as the only players in college football history with 3,000 rushing yards, 1,500 yards in kickoff returns, 1,000 receiving yards and 500 yards in punt returns. He becomes the fourth Clemson graduate among the Tigers’ 10 full-time assistant coaches, joining Brandon Streeter (1999), Tony Elliott (2002) and Tyler Grisham (2009).

Following the collegiate career for which his No. 28 was retired at Clemson, Spiller was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played eight NFL seasons with the Bills, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2012. He and college teammate Jacoby Ford remain the only Clemson products ever to record multiple rushing touchdowns, multiple receiving touchdowns and multiple kick return touchdowns during an NFL career.

Spiller, 33, is a 2009 graduate of Clemson, earning his undergraduate degree in sociology. He is married to his wife, Daysha, and has one daughter, Shania.

Spiller’s hire as one of Clemson’s 10 full-time assistant coaches was among several staff changes for the 2021 football season finalized on Thursday, as Clemson’s recent success resulted in six support staff members departing for full-time coaching positions following the 2020 season. A full list of additional changes for Clemson’s football staff is included below.

HIRES

• C.J. Spiller — Running Backs Coach
• Daniel Boyd — Defensive Player Development
• Kaleb Nobles — Offensive Player Development
• Cole Stoudt — Offensive Player Development
• Andrew Zow — Offensive Analyst

GRADUATE ASSISTANT ADDITIONS

• Tyrone Crowder — Offensive Graduate Assistant
• Elijah Turner — Defensive Graduate Assistant

TITLE CHANGES

• Tony Elliott — Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach
• Mickey Conn — Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties Coach
• Danny Pearman — Director of Football Scouting
• Kyle Richardson — Director of High School Relations and Special Assistant to the Offense
• Thad Turnipseed — Director of Player Development, Freshman Transition and External Affairs
• Bill Spiers — Director of Special Teams
• Zach Fulmer — Assistant Director of Football Scouting/Recruiting Assistant

FULL COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY

“I’m super excited about C.J. moving on the field and being our running backs coach. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors that we’ve had for our program for a long time and now for him to be able to come back and be able to sow seeds into these young men and teach all the things he’s learned throughout his career, there’s not a guy on this staff that’s more committed and more ALL IN for Clemson than C.J. Spiller, that’s for sure.

“This is a really cool moment for me. It’s hard for me to believe — I’ve known C.J. now since 2005 and really coming full circle with him coming here as a player and helping build the foundation of this program we enjoy today. Watching him all through his pro career and then him coming back and transitioning this past year and wanting to spend the year learning coaching, it was the right opportunity and the right time. Man, I’m just really, really, excited, and Tony [Elliott] is excited as well. Tony has loved coaching running backs, but it was an easy transition for him since he can coach anything in the room. A great fit for us.

“To have C.J. out on the road recruiting and have him leading these young men day in and day out is something I’m really, really excited about, and I can’t wait to see him take the field this spring leading that group.”

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs head into the playoffs as serious Super Bowl contenders, but they still need to add talent in next year's NFL Draft.

Chiefs fans should keep their eyes on the following three prospects during the pre-draft process. Each one should draw serious interest from their favorite team. Which one ends up heading to Kansas City will largely depend on who falls to the franchise toward the end of the first round.

Kansas City Chiefs targets in 2021 NFL Draft

Samuel may never become the star that his father was during his NFL career, but he does project to be a solid starter in the league for a long time. That would equal great value for the Chiefs at this late juncture in Round 1.

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Samuel's college tape reveals him to be an excellent corner in man-to-man situations. He doesn't have elite ball skills, but he's in a position to make a play on a high percentage of snaps. His tape shades more towards very good than great, but that's true for almost any prospect available at this spot in the draft.

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Kansas City would be a great landing spot for Samuel because they wouldn't be forced to install him as a starter immediately. Instead, he could learn the ropes of professional football while playing a lot of nickel. The Chiefs' high scoring offense means they always need quality defensive backs. Adding Samuel would be a solid step forward for Andy Reid's secondary.

The Chiefs offense might produce a ton of highlight plays with their skill and flair at the skill positions, but that doesn't mean Kansas City couldn't benefit from adding a brute to their offensive line. Whatever Brown lacks in terms of being a tactician, he more than makes up for with his raw strength and size from the guard position.

Brown is not a lock to be selected in Round 1, but it's equally as likely that he'll shoot up draft boards when offensive line coaches dive into his tape. He flashes the ability to move elite defensive lineman out of his path with relative ease. That makes him a terrific asset for Alabama's run game when they're trying to establish supremacy at the line of scrimmage.

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In fairness, Brown's pass blocking skills are far less refined. He's going to need serious coaching at the next level to improve that aspect of his game. That's why landing with a team like the Chiefs would be so beneficial for his career. They don't need him to start right away. If Brown is coached up in the right fashion he could blossom into a perennial Pro Bowler down the line.

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Offensive guard isn't the sexiest position to address in the first round, but Reid understands the value of selecting guys who can help his team win in the trenches. That's why Brown could easily land in Kansas City with the last selection of Round 1.

Like many of his teammates, Kendrick had his flaws exposed by Ohio State in this year's National Semifinal game. That shouldn't significantly damage his draft stock. Teams interested in nabbing the Clemson cornerback need to realize that he only moved to the defensive side of the ball in 2019.

He arrived in college expecting to play wide receiver. The good news is that Kendrick still flashes really good ball skills stemming from his time on the offensive side of the ball. The flaws in his game are largely technique related and should be corrected with strong coaching at the next level.

Kendrick checks in at a legitimate 6-feet, 190 pounds. That gives him the size to match up against No. 1 wide receivers once his technique catches up with his raw athleticism. Kansas City might have to wait to reap the benefits of landing him in Round 1, but it's just the sort of luxury pick the Chiefs can afford to make.

It's possible Kendrick won't last all the way to No. 32. Playoff teams willing to give him the time to develop could see him as a potential No. 1 corner. Landing that kind of talent outside the top-10 is a real coup for any front office. The Chiefs should be ready to stop his slide if he falls to them on Draft Day.