It has been rumored and reported for almost a week now that Clemson would make a change at defensive coordinator this offseason. Monday morning, head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed that news with an official statement on the Clemson football website as he announced the decision to move on from Wes Goodwin.
“After meeting with Coach Goodwin on Sunday evening,” Swinney’s statement reads, “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.”
This is news that many Clemson fans have been wanting to hear for months. As the Tigers struggled on the defensive side of the football in 2024, Goodwin became one of the more unpopular figures in the program.
In 2024, Clemson finished the year ranked just No. 62 nationally in total defense by giving up 373.2 yards per game. What’s more, the Tigers were No. 60 against the rush by allowing 150.8 yards per game on the ground.
Against the pass, Clemson was No. 67 in the FBS surrendering 222.3 yards per game. But, it was the ground defense that ultimately spelled doom for the Tigers in critical moments.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney announced a staff change on Monday morning.https://t.co/CyejMdTay7 pic.twitter.com/ZgQaD2Nvyk
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) January 6, 2025
In the inexplicable loss to Louisville in Death Valley, the Tigers let the Cardinals run for 210 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Then, in the loss to South Carolina, Clemson allowed 267 yards and two TDs on the ground. Finally, in the season-ending loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff, Goodwin’s defense gave up 292 yards and four scores on the ground.
This year, the Tigers lost four games. In those contests, the defense gave up an average of 234.5 rushing yards per game.
Now, Swinney must find a new leader for his defense, one who can return the Tigers to the standard of playing championship-caliber football on that side of the football. In 2025, the Clemson offense should be elite but what will tell the tale of the season will be the defense and now the task of fixing that aspect of the program has officially begun.
