Clemson head coach Brad Brownell details why the Indiana job 'didn't feel right' for him
Brad Brownell admits the Indiana head coaching job has always held a special place in his heart. A native of Evansville, Indiana, and lifelong Hoosiers fan, Brownell spoke with IU during its latest search. But in the end, he stayed where he felt most at home — Clemson.
'The Indiana job was 'the job,'' Brownell said Tuesday. 'I spoke with them, but I was never 'the guy.' It didn't feel right at that time.'
Now entering his 16th season with the Tigers, Brownell is fresh off agreeing to a new six-year deal worth $27.5 million. The contract, signed in April, also includes a clause allowing him to step into a special assistant role to the athletic director if he ever steps away from coaching — a unique offering that further cemented his decision to stay.
'It's something we talked about when the Indiana thing was going on,' he said. 'That was something that I knew Clemson could offer me that another school could not.'
Despite the allure of IU, Brownell and his family have embraced life in Clemson. The warm weather, lake living, and community connection all factored in — as did his growing legacy with the program. He's Clemson's all-time winningest coach with 292 victories, and he's led the Tigers to five NCAA Tournaments, including the 2024 Elite Eight and 2018 Sweet 16.
'There's a million reasons to stay here,' Brownell said with a grin. 'The warm weather and the lake, those aren't bad.'
Clemson is riding a wave of historic success under Brownell, winning a school-record 27 games in 2024-25, finishing 18-2 in the ACC, and posting four wins over Top 25 opponents, including Kentucky and Duke. The Tigers also went 9-1 on the road in league play — the best mark in school history.
Over the last three seasons, Clemson has amassed 74 wins, more than any other stretch in program history, and posted a .717 winning percentage in ACC play. Since 2017-18, the Tigers rank fourth in the conference in total wins and league victories.
Brownell emphasized that the timing of the Indiana discussions came during a critical point in the Tigers' season. While he was honored by the interest, he ultimately trusted his instincts.
'You talk about it with your family — where do you see yourself, what do you want to do?' he said. 'And we just felt really at home here.'
With a long-term plan now in place and his roots firmly planted, Brownell remains focused on building Clemson into a consistent national contender.
'I've poured my heart and soul into this place for 15 years,' he said. 'Tremendous highs, difficult lows, but unbelievable experiences. And we're not done yet.'
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
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