Clemson University is in the final stages of securing a six-year contract extension for head men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell. This agreement comes amid speculation that Brownell was a leading candidate for the head coaching position at Indiana University.
Sports Director Beth Hoole confirmed the contract while in Rhode Island with the team as they prepare for their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against McNeese. The deal is pending approval from the university’s board. Clemson, a No. 5 seed, has made back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time in program history.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the agreement between Clemson and Brownell. Meanwhile, the South Carolina Gamecocks men’s team declined an invitation to the NIT tournament following a season where the SEC set a record for the most teams qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
South Carolina, coming off an Elite Eight appearance last year—their second in program history—opted not to participate in the postseason outside the NCAA Tournament. Their decision aligns with a growing trend of teams prioritizing future development over secondary tournament play.
With the contract extension, Clemson is committing to Brownell’s leadership for the foreseeable future, ensuring stability as the program continues to compete at a high level in college basketball.
