Tommy Bowden decided he’d done all he could do for Clemson football, telling his athletic director Monday he’d step aside for the future of the program.

AD Terry Don Phillips said his intent Monday morning was to have a candid, heart-to-heart with Bowden about the football team. So Phillips was surprised when Bowden offered to walk away in midseason.

‘‘There wasn’t a gun to his head,’’ Phillips said.

‘‘He put it on the table for the sake of the program,’’ Phillips said. ‘‘I agreed.’’

Bowden will be paid through the end of the season, then get $3.5 million as a buyout negotiated in the contract extension both sides agreed to last December.

Assistant head coach and receivers coach Dabo Swinney will take over the club.