CLEMSON, S.C. — Less than a week after Clemson's season ended, the Tigers have an unexpected opening on their coaching staff.
Assistant Head Coach Todd Bates is leaving to join Brent Venables staff at Oklahoma as co-defensive coordinator alongside former Clemson defensive analyst Ted Roof.
Bates tweeted a picture Monday night wearing an Oklahoma hat alongside Venables and former Clemson assistant coach Miguel Chavis.
Bates was Clemson's defensive tackles coach and recruiting coordinator, before earning a promotion to assistant head coach in December following Venables departure to Oklahoma.
While at Clemson, he coached one of the nation's best defensive lines in 2018, as stars Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence were all selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.