Dabo Swinney is adding another veteran to his coaching staff.

The Clemson Insider has confirmed that longtime college head coach Mike Houston will join Swinney’s defensive staff. Houston is expected to assist new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who was hired away from Penn State last month.

Houston has been the head coach at four different schools, amassing a 106-62 career record.

The past six seasons, Houston served as the head coach at East Carolina. In 2021, he led the Pirates to their first winning season in six years.

From 2016-18, Houston was the head coach at James Madison, leading the Dukes to the FCS playoffs in each of his three seasons at the helm. In 2016, Houston led James Madison an FCS Championship, defeating Youngstown State 28-13 in the title game.

Houston was also head coach at The Citadel (2014-14) and Lenoir-Rhyne (2011-13). At Lenoir-Rhyne, he led the Bears to a 7-3 record in his first season, shared the SAC championship and was named the conference’s Coach of the Year. The next season, he led the school to its first playoff win since 1962 and again earned Coach of the Year honors.

Houston served as the defensive coordinator for Lenoir-Rhyne before taking over as head coach. In his final season as DC, the Bears led the SAC in total defense and were fourth in the nation in rushing defense.

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