CLEMSON – Scanning Clemson football’s coaching roster is far more emotional than informational for Clemson fans. It serves, in part, as a yearbook for the eras of Clemson football, and a testament to the culture that head coach Dabo Swinney has created.

When scrolling through the offensive coaching staff, wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham’s name might evoke memories of his third-down catch in the 2008 win over South Carolina, a victory that ultimately earned Dabo Swinney the head coaching job at Clemson.

Another scroll sends you deeper into orange-flavored nostalgia, as former Clemson signal-caller Tajh Boyd is listed as the squad’s quarterbacks coach. His picture and biography remind fans of the legendary “4th-and-16” play in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl, where Boyd connected with DeAndre Hopkins to keep the Tigers’ game-winning-drive alive, eventually securing a memorable 25-24 win over LSU.

A click to the defensive staff page may incite an image of Ben Boulware, Clemson’s new linebackers coach, hoisting a three-dimensional National Championship Trophy in 2016, after helping Clemson capture its first title in 35 years.

Swinney’s coaching staff features 18 former Clemson players, many of whom share a common thread in their decision to return to their alma mater. While Clemson’s successes and reputation are undoubtedly appealing, the true draw for these former players is Swinney himself.

Corey Crawford, now an assistant defensive line coach, played for Swinney from 2011 to 2014. He credits his former coach for both his introduction to coaching and his development in the field.

“He was the one that called me and asked me to come back,” Crawford said at Clemson’s annual media outing Tuesday inside the Allen Reeves Football Complex. “He believes in me, he thinks highly of me when it comes to coaching and being around the kids. His encouragement and walking behind him, trailing his taillight, I think he has a big part of my development as a coach.”

For Nolan Turner, a former All-American safety for the Tigers, the transition to coaching began long before he officially joined the staff. With a father who played in the NFL and a younger brother currently on the team, Turner always knew coaching was in his future. 

Swinney made that future a reality.

“I just had a conversation with Coach Swinney, saying after this season if there’s a graduate assistant opportunity available on the team I would love to come back and coach, I think I’m ready to start coaching, and he allowed me to do that,” the Vestavia, Ala., native said. “I came back and hit the ground running.”

Turner attributes Swinney’s decision to bring former players back into the fold as coaches to the strong culture he has built at Clemson — a culture that transcends changes in the landscape of college football.

“He likes to say that the players built this place. He’s very intentional about who he brings into this place as players and then obviously as coaches as well,” Turner said. “Credit to him and what he’s built here. It’s a place that’s been able to sustain a high level of winning and a high level of culture for a long time and you don’t see that a lot in college football anymore. He’s done such an unbelievable job.”

For Grisham, who enters his fifth year as wide receivers coach, Swinney’s commitment to consistency and culture has profoundly influenced his coaching philosophy.

“What I’m able to provide, (the players are) going to receive,” he said. “And that goes with what I’m communicating, like it matters so much, right? And I learned that from Coach Swinney. How you present every day is important. And being consistent with that is crucial.”

While every college football coach aims to win, for Swinney’s staff at Clemson, it is about more than just victories. It’s about legacy, history, and lifting up players and coaches who are deeply committed to the program that gave them their start.

As Crawford puts it, Swinney’s standard as both a player and a coach is remarkably similar.

“He demands greatness from his players, and he expects the same from his coaches,” Crawford said.

For many former Clemson athletes who have learned under Swinney for years, greatness isn’t just a goal; it is a prerequisite.