CHARLOTTE — Brad Brownell readily admits he is facing one of his biggest challenges during his Clemson tenure. Seeing as he’s been the head coach since 2010 and has guided the program through some tumultuous times, that’s saying something.
However, this challenge is of a different variety. With Dillon Hunter being the only regular to return from last season’s NCAA Tournament team, Brownell had to hit the portal hard. He signed six transfers, including bringing RJ Godfrey back for a second stint. He’s also got six players who are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
“The biggest challenge in a while, no doubt,” Brownell told TCI at the ACC Tipoff. “Just so many new people and six freshmen. Every day you plan a practice plan, and more days than not, you don’t get all the way through it.”
Outside of Godfrey, Brownell brought in fellow big men Nick Davidson, Jake Wahlin and Carter Welling. He also signed two guards in Butta Johnson and Jestin Porter.
With so many new pieces, Brownell is having to take it a little slower when it comes to the teaching.
“I have gone from having a couple of the most experienced teams in my Clemson tenure to now one of the least experienced,” Brownell added. “So, the teaching is slow.”
Brownell has led Clemson to five NCAA Tournament appearances. The team has also made the big dance in back-to-back seasons, which includes a run to the Elite Eight during the 2023-24 campaign. Last season, the Tigers were bounced in the first round by McNeese State.
The goal is not only to get back this season, it’s also to advance once they get there. At the same time, Brownell knows it won’t be easy, and there very well could be some kinks to work out early on as he adjusts to his new roster.
“We are working our way through it,” Brownell said. “It is fun, it is exciting, it is a new challenge. We got a lot of eager guys that want to learn. When you got this many new guys, everybody is pretty excited, and it’s not like, ‘Well, coach has got us doing the same old drills.’ But it is challenging making sure your rate of development is where it needs to be.”
The Tigers will open the season on November 7 at home against New Hampshire. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Nell Redmond/ACC Photo