Note: The following appears in the Charleston Southern football gameday program.
With a quick Google search, you would find out that new Tiger Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley attended high school in Muleshoe, Texas. You would also find out that he played at Texas Tech, where he was a quarterback for two seasons before transferring to Stephen F. Austin.
And you would find out that he is the younger brother of Southern California Head Coach Lincoln Riley and about his time as offensive coordinator at TCU in 2022, when the Horned Frogs played for a CFP national championship after he was named the winner of the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach.
But there is a lot more to Riley than being a football coach. More than anything, he is Lindsay’s husband and the father of Gibson and Greyson.
When he is not immersed in football, Riley spends his time playing with his kids. He admitted that the kids keep him busy and that he would not have it any other way.
He enjoys spending time at the lake with his family and traveling to the mountains to find some new adventures around the area.
“Living out here, you gotta enjoy the lake and popping out to the mountains,” said Riley.
Riley stressed the importance of the Clemson Family and how essential it has been during his transition to Tigertown.
“It is who you are day in and day out with those people around you, and having the support system around you as a coach and the nature of the business, there are lots of ups and downs of being a coach, so that support system is very important.”
Riley then talked about the importance of having a solid household, and it starts with his wife, Lindsay, who he said is “strong and independent and can also hold her own and raise two kids” during his absence as a coach.
When he is not coaching or thinking about football, Riley enjoys fishing and a good movie. However, he does not have as much time to watch them anymore, because these days, he is watching more game film than anything else.
Riley also enjoys hunting, golfing and many other sports-related activities, but none of that compares to his favorite activity…date night with his wife, as they try to find different places in the area to dine.
Like most people, Riley wants to be known as someone who treats people right. He always wants to treat people consistently, which is how he goes about each day, and he hopes others see him as someone who is consistent in his actions in everyday life.
Riley said his move to Clemson has been a great adjustment for him and his family. Being in a college town is nothing new to Riley, given his background in Lubbock as well as the Texas heat during the summers. The family has settled in at Clemson…even his wife, who Riley admitted is used to more of a city life.
“We love the people here and love the culture, and not just here at the university, but the entire Clemson area like Seneca, Central, Pendleton and all the surrounding towns,” added Riley. “The whole feel has been great for us as a family to get exposed to, and everyone has been so welcoming. So the adjustment has been great.
“Clemson feels like home to our family, and we are all very happy to be here.”
