Dabo Swinney’s Top 10 Assistant Coaching Hires: No. 8 Dan Brooks

Clemson’s transformation from a program with promise to a national powerhouse didn’t happen overnight. It was built on vision, culture, recruiting, and above all, great coaching. While Dabo Swinney’s own leadership has defined the Tigers' identity in the midseason of 2008, it’s his assistant hires that have often provided the strategic edge needed to reach the sport’s summit.

Here’s a ranked look at Swinney’s 10 best assistant coaching hires during his Clemson tenure:

No. 8 Dan Brooks | Defensive Tackles Coach (2009–2016)

Before Clemson’s defensive line became a nationally feared unit, it was Dan Brooks who laid the foundation. Hired by Swinney in 2009 after successful stops at Florida and Tennessee, Brooks brought championship experience and a reputation as one of the best technicians in the country. His impact was immediate and lasting.

Over eight seasons with the Tigers, Brooks developed a hard-nosed, disciplined defensive front that anchored Clemson’s rise from ACC contender to national power. His players were rarely flashy off the field, but on it, they were ruthless and refined—a reflection of their coach.

Brooks was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2016, a fitting tribute to a career that reached its peak as Clemson captured the national title that season. That year, the Tigers ranked in the top 10 nationally in tackles for loss and sacks, fueled by a front that featured future NFL mainstays like Carlos Watkins and Christian Wilkins.

Perhaps just as important as his on-field results was Brooks' mentorship—his quiet leadership and professional steadiness helped shape Clemson’s identity as a team built from the inside out. When he retired following the 2016 championship, Swinney told the media, "We did not want Dan to retire, I tried to talk him out of it. I can't think of a coach who is more respected by his peers in the profession, and by his players past and present.”

Brooks’ departure marked the end of an era—but not the end of his influence. The standard he set remains embedded in the walls of Clemson’s defensive tackle room.

Dabo Swinney’s 10 best assistant coaching hires: 

• No. 9 Robbie Caldwell | Offensive Line Coach (2011–2021)
• No. 10 Todd Bates | Defensive Line Coach (2017–2021)