Clemson Tigers Fire Defensive Coordinator Wes Goodwin

Clemson University has fired defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin after a disappointing season that saw the Tigers' defense rank 69th among Power Five schools.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney released a statement on Monday, paying tribute to outgoing defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. Swinney acknowledged Goodwin's long-standing contributions to the program, saying, “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.”

Swinney also expressed his personal affection and well-wishes for Goodwin, stating, “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.” The full statement from Swinney is available for fans to read.

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

Clemson's defense struggled significantly in the past season, ranking 69th out of 82 Power Five schools. A notable statistic highlighting their defensive woes was the 160.6 rushing yards given up per game, which marked the worst performance in franchise history since 2011.

The Tigers ultimately finished with a 10-4 record, capping off their season with a loss to Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. Prior to that, they had secured the ACC title with a win over SMU.