Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney Thursday announced the firings of offensive line coach Thomas Austin and defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall. The moves come following the conclusion of an 8-4 regular season for the Tigers. The offensive line was beset by injuries and performance related adjustments during the season but seemed to have settled into a quality five in November. Four of those starters return, if they don’t transfer.
Austin, a Camden native and former Clemson standout lineman, replaced the retiring Robbie Caldwell as the Tiger’s offensive line coach in February of 2022.
Defensive ends have been a strength of the Clemson defense during the program’s rise to prominence, but starters Justin Mascoll and Xavier Thomas combined for only three sacks and seven tackles for loss this season. Freshman TJ Parker emerged as a key contributor with his five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Hall had served as the Tigers’ defensive ends coach since 2018.
Swinney’s statement on Thomas Austin
“Today, I made the difficult decision to seek new leadership for the offensive line. It is my responsibility as head coach to make difficult decisions that I believe are in the best interest of our football program and the young men that comprise it. After a few days of deep thought and evaluation, I believe this was a change we needed to make.
“I love Thomas and his entire family, and Thomas has been a great representative of Clemson University and Clemson Football in every role — as a player, as a support staff member and as a coach. On the field, he was one of the best Tigers we’ve had, and his role as a captain and as a great leader is immortalized in concrete at Tiger Walk outside Memorial Stadium. I know God has a great plan for his future.
“I’m incredibly excited about our group of offensive linemen which could have seven players who have started significant time for us, and I look forward to seeing them continue their growth.”
Swinney’s statement on Lemanski Hall
“Lemanski Hall and I met and had a great conversation about his future and long-term goals both personally and professionally, and after great thought and discussion, we came to a mutual decision for him to seek opportunities to advance his career elsewhere.
“I am so thankful for Ski and his wife, Leslie, and their family. Lemanski and I have been almost lifelong friends back to 1989 and he is someone I love like a brother. I’m appreciative and thankful for the impact he has had here at Clemson.
“Since joining our program as an analyst in 2015, he has been part of six College Football Playoff teams, seven ACC title teams, four national championship game appearances and two national titles. Since becoming an on-field coach in 2018, he has coached and recruited great players like Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Myles Murphy and so many others, and I am proud of the work he did in developing potential Freshman All-American T.J. Parker this year.
“I am grateful for both his impact here and for his friendship, and I wish him nothing but the best with his next endeavor.”