Clemson extends AD Graham Neff's contract

Field Level Media|published: Fri 17th October, 12:42 2025

Graham Neff, Clemson University Tigers Athletic Director, gives a State of Clemson Athletics speech in the Smart Family Media Center in Clemson, S.C. Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Clemson athletic director Graham Neff received a six-year, $9 million contract extension Friday from the school's board of trustees.

The new deal runs through 2031 and includes an annual base salary of $1 million, increasing $100,000 each year. There are also bonuses up to $250,000 each year and a retention bonus of $300,000 if he remains in the position next July. He will receive an additional $250,000 in deferred compensation each year.

Neff, 41, has been leading the Tigers' athletic department since late 2021. His contract was due to expire in 2027.

"He's doing a wonderful job as our AD and represents us very well on the national scale," school president James Clements said, per the Post and Courier. "We'd like to lock him in long term and make sure that he remains at Clemson for the remainder of his career."

Notable personnel moves during Neff's tenure include hiring baseball coach Erik Bakich and extending contracts for football coach Dabo Swinney and men's basketball coach Brad Brownell.

Previously the deputy AD at Clemson since 2014 before his promotion, Neff recently helped the school settle its legal dispute with the Atlantic Coast Conference over exit fees and revenue sharing.

--Field Level Media

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