Joey Batson has one more season ahead of him before he hangs up his whistle.

Following the recent news that Batson, Clemson’s longtime strength and conditioning coach, is set to retire following the 2025 season, he joined the latest episode of Clemson Football’s official podcast, 2 Right Turns.

Batson discussed why he is retiring, explaining what went into that decision and how he arrived at it.

Batson is entering his 29th year as the Director of Strength Training at Clemson and his 40th year as a strength and conditioning coach at the college level. He has served as a head strength and conditioning coach for 36 of his 40 years.

“It’s been a long journey,” Batson said. “Getting close to 40 years in collegiate strength training, and I think the last three years, it’s been a little tough. Had some health things we’ve had to deal with, and I don’t know, you just know when you know. I felt like we’ve had a phenomenal run here under Coach Swinney, and just felt like it was time to turn it over.”

Batson was familiar with the Clemson program before he started his career in a full-time capacity, having served as a graduate assistant in the Strength and Conditioning Department from 1985-88.

“We’ve built a really solid foundation here. I know when (former Clemson head strength coach) Gary Wade brought me in as a GA, he did a phenomenal job of transforming a program,” Batson said. “And when I followed him, felt like it was in a good spot, and I was able to build on that. So, I think the next person that comes in is just going to take it to a whole other level, and that’s our plan and that’s our hope.”

A few weeks ago, Batson informed the team of his intention for this to be his final season.

What was the reaction from Swinney when Batson talked to him about retiring, and how did the team react to the news?

“Coach is great,” Batson said. “I mean, just gave me the opportunity to continue on after Coach (Tommy) Bowden, and just so grateful to him for giving me that opportunity. There was a lot of pressure on him early to make some changes – our area was one – and he believed in us. He believed in me, and we’ve proven him differently over those years. Emotional, in a way, I think just for how good he’s been to me and our family. And then in return, I think I’ve given everything that I’ve had to him and this program.

“The players, it was a lot of emotion, but a lot of joy at the same time. Excited for the team, especially in the future, where they’re going, where they’re headed.”

Prior to becoming Clemson’s Director in 1997, Batson served as the first full-time Director of Strength Training at Furman. In addition to his four years at Furman, he also worked as the first full-time Director of Strength and Conditioning at Bowling Green State University, and served a year at the University of South Carolina as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning.

Batson was named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association in May of 2009 — the highest honor given in the strength and conditioning coaching profession.

As he embarks on one last season, Batson intends to soak it all in on a daily basis.

“It’s really just each day – even this morning, the alarm goes off at 4:15, you’re up and running,” Batson said. “A lot of times the guys are here before you get here, getting ready for their training. Just enjoying every little bit of it every day, the opportunity to be around them and the opportunity to be able to do it one more day.”