CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke to the media on the passing of former Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips.

Phillips passed away early Tuesday morning from an extended illness. He was the athletic director at Clemson from 2002-’12, where he helped build the athletic department into the national power it has become today. Phillips is responsible for the hiring of Swinney, men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell, men’s soccer coach Mike Noonan and women’s soccer coach Eddie Radwanski, all of whom are the programs’ most successful and winningest coaches.

“There are no words to state his impact for me and for Clemson,” Swinney said on Tuesday.

Swinney and Noonan have guided the Tigers to multiple national championships during their time at Clemson, while both Brownell and Radwanski have taken their respected sports to heights the programs have never seen before.

“It is a very sad day because this day has come, but it is also a blessing because I know he is not suffering anymore,” Swinney said. “I know he is whole. I know he is with Jesus, so I have great comfort in that.”

Highlights of Phillips tenure include 57 top twenty-five finishes, 13 ACC championships, 77 winning seasons by athletic teams and being bowl eligible in football every year.