Clemson Sticks With Chad Morris After 164-Dropback Scoring Drought

Clemson Tigers fans face a familiar frustration as the program continues to struggle on offense. Head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed on Sunday that he will keep Chad Morris as offensive coordinator for the remainder of the 2026 season. This decision comes after the Tigers went four straight games without a passing touchdown, a drought that has left the unit in the bottom tier of major college football statistics.

The offense has produced few highlights recently. Clemson ranks 138th out of 138 teams in passing touchdowns this year. The team has thrown only two passing scores in seven games, both coming against Georgia Southern and North Carolina. According to TruMedia data, the Tigers have completed 164 dropbacks without a touchdown. They also rank last in the percentage of points from offensive touchdowns and 112th in total scoring offense with an average of 21.4 points per game.

Swinney took direct blame for the recent performance against Virginia Tech. The Tigers scored just three points in the first half of that game. Swinney told reporters at halftime that the result was entirely the coaching staff's fault. He described the performance as pitiful and stated that the decisions and play calls did not help the players win. After the game, he emphasized that the players worked hard while the coaching staff made errors.

This marks the second stint for Morris as the Tigers' offensive coordinator. He previously held the role from 2011 to 2014, a period that coincided with the start of Clemson's rise to national prominence. Swinney brought Morris back to stop the team's decline following the departure of Tony Elliott in 2021. Interim internal promotions under Brandon Streeter and Garrett Riley did not stabilize the unit, leading to Morris's return.

Quarterback Tait Reynolds is currently last among Power Four quarterbacks in QBR. Swinney noted that a competition with Christopher Vizzina would have been ongoing had Vizzina not suffered an early injury. Reynolds remains the starter, though Swinney left the door open for Vizzina to see more playing time later in the season. The offensive line has also struggled, allowing 21 sacks, which ranks 123rd nationally.

The team has scored 28 points or fewer in 10 consecutive games against FBS opponents. This streak is the longest since 2008. The only longer streaks in school history are 15 games from 1993 to 1995 and 11 games from 1979 to 1980. Advanced metrics paint a similar picture of inefficiency. Clemson has been to the red zone 23 times in seven games, tying for 103rd nationally. They rank 104th in red zone scoring and 126th in success rate at 37.6 percent.

Swinney also made personnel changes during the Virginia Tech game. He benched running back Gideon Davidson in the second half after the player made technical errors and incorrect reads. Swinney said Davidson's performance hurt the team and that the mistakes were not part of his coaching plan. The quarterback and running game have failed to provide a consistent scoring threat.

Clemson plays Florida State on Saturday in its next contest. The Tigers have five games left on their schedule. All five remaining opponents are considered competitive matches, a fact that underscores the current standing of the program. The team faces a difficult stretch with no clear path to improving its offensive output.

Swinney's decision to retain Morris suggests the coaching staff will continue with the current system. The players have a short window to reverse the trend before the season ends. The statistics indicate the offense is near the bottom of the nation in nearly every major category. The Tigers must find a way to score more efficiently against their final five opponents.