Wes Goodwin will not return as Clemson's defensive coordinator, sources confirmed to FootballScoop on Saturday. On3 and ESPN first reported the news.
Goodwin's path to a coordinator role was highly unconventional, in that he never served in an on-field role before taking the reins of Clemson's defense after Brent Venables's departure for Oklahoma after the 2021 season. Goodwin worked as student assistant at Mississippi State, a GA and then an analyst at Clemson, spent three years as an assistant to the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and then returned to Clemson in 2018 as a senior defensive assistant.
After ranking in the top 20 annually in yards per play from 2016-21, Clemson ranked 26th in 2022, ninth in 2023, and then plummeted to 64th this past season.
Clemson won the ACC in 2022 and 2024, but has not seriously contended for a national championship since its 6-year run of College Football Playoff berths came to an end in 2020.
The Tigers will enter 2025 with serious expectations to contend, though, with quarterback Cade Klubnik returning for his senior season and a talented young receiving corps around him.
Expect Dabo Swinney to pursue a sitting Power 4 defensive coordinator to replace Goodwin.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update: Dabo Swinney has announced the move: “After meeting with Coach Goodwin on Sunday evening, I have decided to make a change at our defensive coordinator position. I want to thank Wes for his character, commitment, leadership and dedication as well as the relentless work ethic with which he approached his job every day. Wes has been a part of our program for 13 of the past 16 years, and he played an instrumental part in all of our success. I love Wes and his family and wish him all the best as he continues his journey. I know he has a bright future ahead.
“I will start the interview process immediately and will hope to have our new defensive coordinator named by the end of the month or sooner. Our staff has been hard at work on our roster, and we look forward to solidifying our defensive coordinator position to help lead this extremely talented group as we pursue our goals for 2025.”