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          Clemson O-line, DE coaches out; 'Change we needed,' Swinney says

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          Clemson grinds out gritty win over South Carolina (1:20)

          The Tigers pound out a methodical 16-7 victory over the Gamecocks in a physical Palmetto Bowl punctuated by hard-nosed defense on both sides. (1:20)

          • Associated Press
          Nov 30, 2023, 07:58 PM

          CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson is letting go of offensive line coach Thomas Austin and defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall.

          Coach Dabo Swinney announced Thursday that the two assistant coaches would not return next season.

          Hall had joined Clemson as an analyst in 2015 and was part of the program through both its national championships after the 2016 and 2018 seasons. He was promoted to defensive ends coach in 2018.

          Swinney said he and Hall talked this week and agreed to mutually part ways.

          Austin was a former Clemson center who joined the staff as analyst in 2021 and took over the offensive line the next season when Robbie Caldwell moved to another role.

          Swinney said it's his responsibility as coach to do what's best for the program.

          "After a few days of deep thought and evaluation, I believe this was a change we needed to make," he said.

          Clemson's offense ranked sixth in the ACC this season in total yards, touchdowns and rushing yards.

          It's the second straight postseason that Swinney has dismissed an assistant with Clemson ties from his coaching staff. A year ago, Swinney let go of offensive coordinator and former Tigers quarterback Brandon Streeter to hire Garrett Riley from TCU.