Clemson approves $1.2 million contract for assistant baseball coach. See the details here.
· Yahoo Sports
Oct. 15—CLEMSON — Clemson University's Board of Trustees approved a contract for a new assistant baseball coach on Thursday.
Tyler Smarslok had a three-year, $1.2 million contract approved on Oct. 15. He'll receive $400,000 each season until the end of his contract on July 31, 2029. Smarslok will coordinate Clemson's defense and assist on offense, per a release from the baseball program.
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"We targeted outlier defensive and baserunning coaches who are regarded as the best in the world at what they do, and Tyler's name repeatedly surfaced," Clemson coach Erik Bakich wrote in a statement. "This is an exciting day for Clemson baseball, and I know our players and staff are eager to work with 'Smars.'"
Smarslok will replace former Clemson assistant coach Nick Schnabel. The former coach left the program in August to start a recruitment consulting firm.
Prior to Clemson, Smarslok was the first-base coach, infield coach and baserunning coach for the Miami Marlins in 2025. In 2026, he joined the Washington Nationals' coaching staff as field coordinator. He held jobs as an assistant coach at Marist in the fall of 2019, volunteer assistant coach at Seton Hall in 2019, graduate assistant coach at Heidelberg in 2018, an assistant coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in 2017 and an assistant coach at Kean in 2015 and 2016 before moving up the ranks of Minor League Baseball.
Smarslok can be fired without cause in exchange for 50 percent of his remaining compensation as a buyout. He will receive a cell phone and vehicle stipend from Clemson. He's eligible for up to $35,000 in performance-based incentives, including a $10,000 bonus if Clemson wins the College World Series.
Clemson began fall practices in September and open the season at the Shriners Children's College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Tx., from February 19-21, 2027. The Tigers are coming off their worst season under fifth-year coach Erik Bakich, going 31-26 (10-20 ACC) last season and missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2022.
Contract details
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Dates: Oct. 16, 2026 — July 31, 2029
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Base salary: $360,000
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Supplemental: $40,000
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Total yearly compensation: $400,000
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Signing bonus: $45,000
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University buyout: 50 percent of remaining compensation
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Employee buyout: 20 percent of remaining compensation, can be waived by Clemson
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Cell phone and vehicle stipend
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$35,000 in bonuses: ACC tournament champion ($2,000), No. 1 seed in ACC tournament ($2,500), NCAA tournament appearance ($2,000), NCAA regional champion ($6,000), NCAA super regional champion ($8,000), NCAA College World Series championship series appearance ($4,000), NCAA College World Series champions ($10,000)
Reach Jackson Castellano at [email protected]. Follow him on X @jaxacastellano.