CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University trustees on Thursday signed off on a three-year contract worth $1.2 million for Tyler Smarslok, the new assistant coach joining Erik Bakich’s baseball staff.
The deal pays Smarslok $400,000 per season and runs through July 31, 2029. He will run the Tigers’ defense and help with the offense. He also gets a $45,000 signing bonus and can earn up to $35,000 more in incentives, topped by $10,000 for a College World Series title.
Smarslok, 34, comes from pro ball. He coached first base, the infield and baserunning for the Miami Marlins in 2025, then moved to the Washington Nationals as field coordinator for 2026. He played in college at Kean University in New Jersey.
He takes the spot left by Nick Schnabel, who stepped down Aug. 6 to launch a recruiting consulting business after earning $425,000 in 2025-26.
The hire follows a rough spring. Clemson finished 31-26 and 10-20 in ACC play and was left out of the NCAA field for the first time since Bakich arrived.
Opening weekend for 2027 is Feb. 19-21 in Arlington, Texas, where the Tigers play at Globe Life Field in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.
Section: More Clemson SC sports news
