Hold onto your helmets, college football fans, because a major shake-up is brewing at Clemson. Rich Bisaccia, the former Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator, is reportedly on the verge of joining the Clemson Tigers, according to Tiger Illustrated. But here's where it gets intriguing: Clemson doesn't currently have a special teams coordinator vacancy. So, what's really going on? Let's break it down.
Bisaccia's potential move isn't just a routine hire—it's a big deal. The contract reportedly requires approval from Clemson's Board of Trustees (BOT), a clear sign that this deal comes with significant financial backing. This level of scrutiny isn't typical for every coaching addition, which raises questions about the program's broader strategy.
Bisaccia's departure from Green Bay just two weeks ago caught many off guard. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst admitted at the combine that the team wasn't expecting Bisaccia to leave this offseason. His exit left the Packers as the only team with a special teams coordinator vacancy, especially after Cleveland poached his right-hand man, Byron Storer.
Now, let’s talk about Clemson’s current special teams coordinator, Mike Reed. Reed, who also serves as the assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach, is still under contract and was the second-highest paid special teams coach in college football last year, earning $950,000. So, why would Clemson bring in Bisaccia? And this is the part most people miss: Reed’s role could shift entirely, allowing him to focus full-time on defense, a position he held exclusively from 2013 to 2021 before taking on special teams duties in 2022. This realignment would explain the need for BOT approval, as it would involve significant changes to the coaching staff’s structure and compensation.
Reed’s special teams expertise isn’t new; he cut his teeth in the NFL as a special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2002 to 2006 under the leadership of John Harbaugh and Dave Toub. When I polled college football insiders about potential coordinators who could make the leap to the NFL, Reed’s name consistently came up, alongside Michigan State’s LeVar Woods.
For Bisaccia, this move would mark a return to the college game after two decades. He last coached at the collegiate level in 2001 as Mississippi’s assistant head coach, running backs coach, and special teams coach. Interestingly, Bisaccia also has ties to Clemson, having served as their running backs and special teams coach from 1994 to 1998, following a stint at their in-state rival, South Carolina, from 1988 to 1993.
Update: TigerNet reports that Bisaccia’s role will indeed be special teams coach, a position he’s more than qualified for, given his extensive experience. This move would likely solidify Reed’s transition back to a full-time defensive role, streamlining Clemson’s coaching staff in a way that could pay dividends on the field.
But here’s the controversial question: Is Clemson overpaying for special teams expertise, or are they making a strategic move to dominate a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the game? And what does this mean for the future of Mike Reed’s career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one hire that’s sure to spark debate.
