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Why Dabo Swinney fired Clemson football defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin
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- Why Dabo Swinney fired Clemson football defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin
This article was updated to include new information.
CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney announced Monday defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin will not return to the Tigers' coaching staff in 2025 season.
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"After meeting with Coach Goodwin on Sunday evening, I have decided to make a change at our defensive coordinator position," Swinney said in a press release. "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."
Goodwin spent the past three seasons as Clemson 's defensive coordinator, taking over in December 2021 for now-Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables. Goodwin served as a senior defensive assistant for the Tigers before becoming the coordinator.
Goodwin kept Clemson's defense afloat after Venables' exit, earning a nomination for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant, in 2023. However, Clemson's defense struggled mightily in 2024.
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The Tigers tied for 50th in scoring defense with 23.4 points allowed per game, and were 69th in total defense (374.1 yards allowed) last season. The major flaw was the run defense, allowing 160.6 yards per game (84th in FBS).
Goodwin is owed the full amount of the remainder of his contract ($3.1 million), but his buyout can be reduced by the amount of his salary at his new job. If he had taken a new job before getting fired, he would have owed Clemson 25% of his remaining salary ($775,000), though the university had the discretion to waive that.
MORE: Clemson football defensive coordinator candidates to replace Wes Goodwin for Dabo Swinney
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Dabo Swinney on moving on from Wes Goodwin as defensive coordinator
