Graham Neff talks Brownell extension, new administrative role clause

Brad Brownell is coming off leading Clemson to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in his time in Clemson.

Grayson Mann - Staff Writer - Friday, April 25 2025

In a changing landscape where uncertainty is the status quo, Clemson has locked in its version of security.

The Clemson University Board of Trustees approved a six-year extension for men’s basketball head coach Brad Brownell, keeping him through the 2031 season.

AD Graham Neff quickly cited the program’s recent success and victories in the transfer for both men’s and women’s basketball.

Neff believes Brownell is incredibly equipped with the skills to handle this type of roster construction yearly in the wild west of the portal.

“Just for Brad in particular: In the changing environment of college athletics, House case revenue share, and the collective era transfer portal, the skill sets of roster, construction, player evaluation, and development have never been more important,” Neff said. “And so I think that's where Brad excels. He's shown that.”

Brownell has signed six prospects out of the transfer portal, reshaping the roster after seeing nine exits after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.

According to 247Sports, five portal signees are considered four-star transfers.

Before he was linked to his new deal with Clemson, Brownell had been considered a top candidate in the vacancy for the Indiana job, with rumors circulating before the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament appearance.

Neff revealed that conversations about other opportunities came up in February and March, but that ultimately, there was a genuine desire to remain in his role at Clemson, and that was finalized Friday.

"It was certainly dollars and cents of a contract matter, but it was broader than that with Brad,” Neff said. “That's what he's earned here and how he's gone about the investment with this program. So it, as Brad and I typically have, I mean it was good, just genuine conversations throughout leading to this action today, but more just continued investment with the program.”

One unique clause in Brownell’s new deal is the clause that if he chooses to step down at any point in his new deal, he would move to a new role.

That role within his contract is marked as “Special Assistant/Advisor to the Athletic Director,” putting Brownell in an administrative role.

His salary would drop to $250,000 in the job that has no longer than a four-year term.

Neff spoke about his unique part of this contract, adding how it speaks volumes about Brownell’s commitment to serving Clemson beyond the court.

“That was one of the most important components to Brad, quite frankly, which it has some financial components to it for sure, but that speaks to his connectivity with Clemson and willingness and wanting to be here even in a different type of role at a different part of his career,” Neff said.

For Brownell, who turns 57 this fall, the six-year extension could be his final contract as Clemson's head coach, as he potentially looks beyond what his role could be with Clemson outside of Littlejohn.

Neff believes this addition to his deal is unique to what the Tigers can provide, keeping Brownell in Clemson regardless of how his future pans out.

“And so that's something that other schools can't provide, couldn't have provided,” Neff said. “That's kind of where one of the things for Brad that was really important to him. I think it's really unique to have a coach's high profile as a head basketball coach to want to do that. And then certainly his reputation of just connections within the community, donors, and fundraising. There will be a lot of utility for Brad in a special assistant type role when we get to that in his career.”