Sources, Clemson Finalizing Six-Year Contract Extension for Brad Brownell
Clemson University is finalizing a new six-year contract extension for men’s basketball head coach Brad Brownell, sources confirmed to Jon Rothstein.
The news comes as Clemson prepares for its NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against No. 12 seed McNeese on Thursday in Providence, R.I. The Tigers earned an at-large bid into the 2025 tournament as the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, marking their second consecutive NCAA appearance and fifth overall under Brownell.
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Clemson enters the tournament boasting a historic 27-6 overall record, highlighted by a program-best 18-2 mark in ACC regular-season games. The Tigers have set new school records for total wins (27), ACC wins (18), ACC road victories (9), and win percentage (.900). They ended the regular season with eight consecutive ACC wins, surpassing the previous record of seven achieved in the 1966-67 and 2022-23 seasons.
Brownell, now in his 14th season at Clemson, guided the Tigers to an Elite Eight run last season, equaling the program’s best-ever NCAA tournament finish, originally set by the 1980 team under coach Bill Foster. Last season, Clemson defeated New Mexico, Baylor, and Arizona before falling to Alabama one step shy of the Final Four.
Under Brownell’s tenure, Clemson basketball has developed a strong identity built on defensive toughness and consistent player improvement. Brownell is the winningest coach in Tigers men’s basketball history and has successfully transformed Clemson into a perennial ACC contender.
Brownell previously guided UNC Wilmington and Wright State to NCAA Tournament appearances, making Clemson his third program to reach the national stage.
This year’s NCAA Tournament selection marks Clemson’s 15th appearance overall and third consecutive under Brownell.
The No. 5-seeded Tigers and No. 12-seeded McNeese will square off Thursday in Providence, R.I., with Clemson aiming to make another deep run. Historically, Clemson has compiled a 14-14 NCAA tournament record, including five Sweet 16 appearances and two trips to the Elite Eight.
The winner of Thursday’s matchup will advance to the second round, meeting the victor of the No. 4 vs. No. 13 matchup. Clemson fans, energized by recent success, hope Brownell’s new long-term deal signals sustained excellence for years to come.
