Clemson University president retiring a year after contract extension By Alexa Jurado Updated December 10, 2025 12:23 PM Clemson University President Jim Clements is leaving the school. His retirement effective Dec. 31. “He has led Clemson University with vision, energy and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” Kim Wilkerson, chair of the Clemson board of trustees said in a news release. “His extraordinary leadership not only advanced our academic reputation but also strengthened our sense of Clemson community and pride.” No reason was given for his departure. In a letter to the campus community, Clements, 61, said he had reflected over his time as president for months before deciding to “step aside” and allow the university to move forward. “For nearly 17 years, I have had the privilege of serving as a university president, a role that has brought me immense purpose,” Clements wrote. “But there comes a time when health and family must take precedence. Clemson has been my home and passion, yet my greatest love is for my wife, Beth, and our children and grandchildren. Life moves quickly, and I don’t want to miss what truly matters – the major milestones and the quiet, everyday joys.” Clements is the school’s fifteenth president, and began his tenure more than a decade ago on Dec. 31, 2013. Under his leadership, Clemson achieved record enrollment and graduation rates, expanded research initiatives and secured historic philanthropic support, Wilkerson said. The president’s departure is abrupt. The board had approved a five-year contract extension for Clements last fall. But the university has endured heavy criticism in recent months. Following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September, state legislators began criticizing Clemson for failing to reprimand two professors and one other staff member for social media statements regarding the assassination. The university did eventually fire the employees, citing “unprofessional conduct.” Clements — along with Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and Clemson board member — resigned from the board of a Columbia-based developer United Homes Group. The company is under investigation for misleading investors. An ailing football team has also been a sore spot for the school this year. The board of trustees is meeting Wednesday to appointment an interim leadership team, create a presidential search committee and hire a search firm. Wilkerson said she will recommend Provost Bob Jones as interim president, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Jones was slated to retire at the end of the year, but Wilkerson said he agreed to serve until a successor is named. im Clements contract, family details Clements is making $331,532 in base salary in 2025, according to a copy of his most recent contract obtained by The State via public records request. A separate compensation package from the Clemson University Foundation related to development and fundraising should earn him an additional $825,000 this year. Between those two buckets, Clements makes over $1 million annually. Clements’ most recent contract, signed in December 2024, says if he chooses to retire in his capacity as president, “he may elect to continue employment with the University as a tenured full Professor.” Clements was president at West Virginia before succeeding then-Clemson president Jim Barker. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have been married 30-plus years and have four children, and their family has deep ties to the university. Clements’ son Tyler is the director of recruiting for Dabo Swinney and Clemson footbal. His daughter Grace, who has intellectual disabilities, is a student manager for the Clemson softball team and a recent graduate of the ClemsonLIFE program. Jim Clements’ connection to Clemson athletics Outside of university implications, Clements’ departure is a significant one for Clemson athletics. Clements is very involved with sports at the school and has played a role in the football team’s recent rise. Clements was president during Clemson football’s two most recent national championships in 2016 and 2018 and serves on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers (the governing body for college football’s postseason event). Under Clements and athletic directors Dan Radakovich (former) and Graham Neff (current), football investment and staff salaries have soared. Swinney, the team’s longtime football coach, is close with Clements and often credits the “alignment” between university and athletic leadership as a big plus for his program. Clements is a staple at home and road sporting events and will often host prospective recruits in his office during their official visits to campus. He also played a significant role in Clemson’s recently settled lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference regarding its exit fees and media rights deal with member schools, a risky move that should ultimately benefit the school in the long run.
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