Mickey Conn

• Became Clemson’s full-time assistant coach for safeties in January 2017.

• Spent most of 2021 as Special Teams Coordinator before moving to Co-Defensive Coordinator before the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl.

• Oversaw a 2023 unit that helped Clemson finish eighth nationally in both total defense and passing defense and tie for the national lead in takeaways (28).

• Mentored Khalil Barnes to Freshman All-America honors in 2023 as Barnes became the first Clemson player in the Dabo Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles (three) and multiple interceptions (three) in a freshman season. Barnes was one of only two FBS players — and was the only FBS freshman — to record three or more interceptions, three or more forced fumbles and a scoop-and-score in 2023.

• Helped Clemson to another Top 25 finish in points allowed per game (20.9) in 2022 as four of his safeties ranked among Clemson’s top 10 tacklers on the year.

• In 2021, led Andrew Mukuba to become the first Tiger freshman defensive back to start a season opener since the NCAA instituted permanent freshman eligibility in 1972. Mukuba was a Freshman All-American and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in helping Clemson finish second in the country in scoring defense (14.8).

• Guided Nolan Turner to a second-team All-America and second-team All-ACC selection in 2020. Turner’s three picks led Clemson as the Tigers finished in the top 10 in the nation in interceptions.

• Oversaw a veteran unit in 2019 that included seniors Tanner Muse and K’Von Wallace, who earned first- and third-team All-ACC honors, respectively, in helping Clemson allow an opponent passer rating of 105.37, the second-lowest in the country. It was Clemson’s best ranking in opponent passer rating since leading the country in that category in 2014.

• Shared 2019 FootballScoop Defensive Backs Coach of the Year honors with Cornerbacks Coach Mike Reed.

• Muse was a Thorpe Award semifinalist and third-team AP All-American in 2019 who became the first Clemson defensive back to earn All-America status from the Associated Press since cornerback Cordrea Tankersley’s third-team selection in 2016. Muse was the first Clemson safety to earn AP All-America honors since Jayron Kearse in 2015.

• With Muse and Turner in 2019 and 2020, respectively, Clemson had a safety honored by NCAA-recognized All-America selectors in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1981 and 1982, when Terry Kinard parlayed first-team honors by AP and FWAA in 1981 into unanimous All-American honors in the 1982 season.

• Helped Clemson’s 2019 defense hold opponents under 300 yards in each of the first 12 games of the season, the first unit on record since 1996 to do so. Clemson finished in the Top 10 in total defense (228.3 yards per game) for a sixth straight season, the longest active streak in the country.

• Produced a second-team All-ACC honoree in Muse and an Honorable Mention selection in Wallace in 2018, as the 15-0 national title squad led the nation in scoring defense (13.1 points per game).

• His safeties helped Clemson rank fifth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (106.9) in 2017.

• Served as senior defensive analyst in 2016, helping the Tigers to the program’s second national championship with a victory over his alma mater, Alabama.

• Contributed to a 2016 Clemson defense that finished tied for first in the nation in fewest passing yards allowed per attempt (5.6) and fourth in passing efficiency defense (100.2). Clemson was also sixth in interceptions (20) and eighth in total defense (311.5).

• Came to Clemson after 16 seasons as head coach at Grayson (Ga.) High School. The Rams were 137-48 with seven region titles, a state championship in 2011 and a state semifinal playoff appearance in 2015.

• Grayson High School finished in the top 25 in the nation four times, including No. 3 in 2011. It reached the No. 1 ranking in the nation twice during his tenure.

• Began his coaching career at Grayson High School on March 21, 2000, and started his career at Clemson on March 21, 2016.

• Owned the most victories at the highest classification in the state of Georgia before he came to the Clemson football program.

• Inducted into the Gwinnett County (Ga.) Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

• Coached several former Clemson players at Grayson High School, including running back Wayne Gallman, cornerback Ryan Carter, quarterback (and nephew) Chase Brice and former backup quarterback Nick Schuessler. Also coached current Clemson running back Phil Mafah in the Gwinnett Football League from age 7 through seventh grade.

• Coached at his alma mater, South Gwinnett High School in Atlanta, in 1998 and 1999. David Greene, who went on to play four years as a starter at Georgia, was his quarterback.

• Former graduate assistant coach at Alabama in 1996 and 1997. He was on staff when Dabo Swinney was a full-time coach with the Crimson Tide. Alabama was 10-3 and went to the Outback Bowl in 1996 with Conn and Swinney on staff.

• Was a teammate of Swinney at Alabama, as they were both on its 1992 national title squad under Head Coach Gene Stallings. Conn lettered during the 1992, 1993 and 1994 seasons, but was on the team from 1990-94. He redshirted during his freshman season.

• Earned a bachelor’s degree from Alabama in 1995.

• Earned a master’s degree from Ball State in 2006.