CLEMSON – The spring game is an opportunity for many players, but it’s also a chance to improve as a coaching staff.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has made a point to split the coaching staff. He sees it as a chance for competition and to hone the staff as a whole.

Swinney has gone back and forth on the way the Tigers handle the spring game, but a split staff is his preferred option. It was key last season because Garrett Riley was just entering the offensive coordinator role at Clemson and it allowed him to get his feet wet.

“We’ve done it differently over the years. I prefer to split the team and split the staff because I think it’s good for our development too. Sometimes like last year, you’ve got a change in coordinators, Garrett kind of went back and forth but we’ll split it up this year,” Swinney said.

Looking at both sides, the offenses will be commanded by Riley and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson. Defense will be the obvious Wes Goodwin and co-defensive coordinator Mickey Conn.

It’s a competitive chance that’s hard to replicate in the offseason and Swinney appreciates it every season. with new coaches Matt Luke and Chris Rumph, it allows more reps for that pair.

“It’s a good opportunity. We split up Nick and Chris so everybody’s got a good feel for it and how we do it,” Swinney said.

On top of the coaches being split, Swinney said injured players will be coaches as well. That’s another lens for their development on and off the field.

Clemson’s spring game takes place Saturday, kicking off at 1 p.m. in Death Valley. The game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.