Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott will not join the team for its trip to the Sugar Bowl due to COVID-19 protocols, the team announced Wednesday. The Tigers leave for New Orleans later this afternoon.
The club did not announce when Elliott originally entered protocol, which calls into question whether he'd be able to join the team for the Jan. 11 national championship game, assuming Clemson wins its semifinal. No. 2 Clemson faces No. 3 Ohio State in the semifinal on Friday night.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed the team's game at Notre Dame after a positive test last month, leading to a 47-40 loss, the club's only loss of the season.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit will not travel to after testing positive for COVID-19 and will call the game from his home in Nashville. No such option will be available for Elliott, so the Tigers will have to go next-man-up for their offensive play-caller.
Clemson's announcement did not include details of who will call plays in Elliott's stead. Quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter also carries a passing game coordinator title and has been with the program since the 2015 season, making him the most likely choice. Robbie Caldwell coaches the team's offensive line, and Tyler Grisham, in his first year on the on-field staff, coaches the wide receivers. Elliott also coaches Clemson's running backs.
Elliott has been on Dabo Swinney's staff since 2011 and a co-coordinator since 2015. He took over sole coordinator duties when Jeff Scott became the head coach at South Florida after the 2019 season. Elliott won the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach in 2017.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.