Clemson Tigers Volleyball Head Coach Jackie Simpson , Who Recently Signed a $125M NIL Deal, Rejects a historic Nil Deal of $224M Offer from Kentucky Wildcats: ‘My Loyalty Lies with Clemson Tigers ” This Is Home.’”…
In a powerful display of loyalty and conviction, Clemson Tigers Volleyball Head Coach Jackie Simpson has declined a record-breaking $224 million NIL offer from the University of Kentucky. The offer, the largest ever presented to a volleyball coach, was aimed at luring Simpson away from Clemson to lead a full-scale rebuild in Lexington. But Simpson stood firm, stating, “My loyalty lies with the Clemson Tigers. This is home.”
Simpson, who recently signed a $125 million NIL deal to remain with Clemson, made it clear that her decision was rooted in purpose and passion rather than profit. “This program, this community, and these athletes mean everything to me,” she said. “We’re building something incredible here. It’s not just about chasing wins—it’s about creating a legacy, and that’s what we’re doing at Clemson.”
Since taking over the program, Jackie Simpson has engineered a remarkable turnaround. Her leadership has brought renewed energy, strategic focus, and competitive fire to Clemson Volleyball. The Tigers have climbed in the national rankings, recruited elite-level talent, and reestablished themselves as a program on the rise within the ACC and beyond.
Kentucky’s offer reportedly came with unprecedented flexibility—control over staffing, a state-of-the-art training facility, and long-term branding initiatives centered around Simpson. Still, she refused to be swayed. “At Clemson, I have everything I need to be successful,” she said. “It’s not about the size of the check—it’s about the size of the vision. And ours here is limitless.”
Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff praised Simpson’s decision, saying, “Jackie has quickly become one of the most influential leaders in Clemson athletics. Her decision to stay speaks volumes about who she is and what she believes in. She’s a coach who’s all-in, and so are we.
