Clemson is making a change at defensive coordinator, firing Wes Goodwin after three seasons on the job. Head coach Dabo Swinney announced the move on Monday morning.
The Tigers made it to the College Football Playoff by winning the ACC championship game over SMU. But the defense struggled to stop the run all season. Clemson allowed 292 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 77 in the nation. Overall, the defense ranked No. 69 in the nation in yards allowed per game, giving up an average of 494 yards.
Clemson’s difficulties against the run continued in the CFP, allowing 292 rushing yards in its 38-24 loss to Texas.
The Tigers’ performance took a considerable drop after ranking No. 8 in total defense during the 2023 season despite returning talent including defensive linemen Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart, edge rusher T.J. Parker, and Barrett Carter and Sammy Brown at linebacker.
Woods, Parker and Brown, along with linebacker Wade Woodaz (tied for the team lead in tackles) and defensive back Avieon Terrell, are set to return in 2025.
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“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,” Swinney said in a statement released by the program.
“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.”
Goodwin, 40, was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after Brett Venables was hired as the head coach at Oklahoma. Goodwin spent the previous four seasons with Clemson as a senior defensive assistant.
Prior to that, Goodwin worked three seasons as an assistant to head coach Bruce Arians with the Arizona Cardinals. Before going to Arizona, Goodwin was a graduate assistant and defensive analyst at Clemson during a six-season span.
Wes Goodwin was terminated “without cause,” triggering the university buyout.
He was extended last February through the 2026 season, so Clemson owes Goodwin $1.5 million in ’25 and $1.6 million in ’25, paid monthly.
(Unless he finds another job, which results in mitigation.)
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) January 6, 2025
Since he was fired without cause, Goodwin will receive a buyout of $3.1 million. That equals the remainder of what he was to be paid on the final two years of his contract. (He received a $550,000 raise in February, boosting his yearly salary to $1.4 million.) That buyout could be reduced with whatever salary Goodwin receives at his new job.
On the offensive side, quarterback Cade Klubnik is returning next season, in addition to leading receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore.
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