CLEMSON — As Clemson prepares to play Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl, there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes on the coaching front.

The Clemson Insider has spent the last several days gathering as much information as we can from our sources and here is what we have learned.

A few more of Clemson’ staff personnel are headed with John Grass to Samford after the Pinstripe Bowl.

TCI confirmed offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach Andrew Zow will join Grass’ staff, as will offensive player development and assistant offensive line coach Brandon Thomas.

We were told Thomas will be Grass’ offensive line coach. The former Clemson standout will complete his fourth season at Clemson following the Pinstripe Bowl.

Zow, a former Alabama quarterback, will finish his fifth season with the Tigers on Dec. 27.

TCI also learned that defensive analyst and assistant defensive ends coach Da’Quan Bowers was offered a spot on Grass’ staff, but he has chosen to stay at Clemson for the time being. Bowers, a former All-American at Clemson, is in his third season.

In a previous report, we told you that safeties coach Mickey Conn was going to Sanford, as well. However, from what we have heard the last several days, Conn has not accepted any jobs at this time. But we do not expect Conn to return to Clemson in 2026, from what our sources have told us.

Speaking of assistant coaches, our sources have also indicated that defensive coordinator Tom Allen will keep his son Thomas on staff. TCI learned that the younger Allen will be an assistant coach.

This season, Allen was officially listed as a defensive analyst and assistant linebackers coach. However, Tom Allen said, prior to the South Carolina game, that his son’s role changed and he was helping with the secondary.

Remember the coaching carousel is very fluid and things can change quickly during this time of year as head coaches at their new schools continue to build their staff. We still expect there will be a few more movements and such before Dabo Swinney’s staff is completed for the 2025 season.

With that knowledge, understand why things happen when they do. Though some coaches know they are leaving there could be a financial benefit for them if they wait to get fired rather than take another coaching job first.

If coaches decide to leave on their own before getting fired, they would not get the buyout unless they negotiated otherwise. Timing and reputational considerations are also in play here.

The buyouts for several assistant coaches we have researched do have mitigation if the employee is terminated. If the coaches are fired without cause and accept another job Clemson would be on the hook for paying the difference in that coach’s salary.

Stay tuned to TCI for all the latest news and information, as it comes available to us.