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College Football: 10 assistants who will become head coaches in 2021

By Dante Pryor

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch observers warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch observers warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 11: Co-Offensive Coordinator Tony Elliott of the Clemson Tigers attends media day for the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 11, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 11: Co-Offensive Coordinator Tony Elliott of the Clemson Tigers attends media day for the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 11, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

9. Tony Elliot, Clemson (OC)

Dabo Swinney has had the best run of luck when it comes to assistant coaches. One reason assistants and coordinators stick around Clemson is the pay. They are among the highest-paid coaching staff in college football.

The culture and environment Swinney has created also has a lot to do with assistants and coordinators sticking around for as long as they have. Brent Venables and Tony Elliot have been with Dabo almost since he began as head coach.

In his 12 seasons as head coach, Dabo has lost Chad Morris, Charlie Harbison, Marion Hobby, Dan Brooks and Jeff Scott. Nick Saban loses that many assistants every season it seems. If the Tigers do well, they are bound to lose Elliot.

So many athletic directors are looking for quarterback gurus; Elliot is just that. He is also one of the better recruiters in the country. He can afford to be picky about where he goes, but the right program just might make him the right offer at the right time.

Elliot has been too good for too long for a program — looking for a sprinkle of that “Dabo Dust” — not to nab him as their next head coach.

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