After a significant tenure at Clemson, Wes Goodwin is preparing for a new chapter in his coaching career, joining the Oklahoma Sooners as a defensive analyst under head coach Brent Venables.
The move comes after Goodwin’s departure from Clemson in early January, following the team’s 2024 College Football Playoff loss to Texas. Goodwin’s decision to reunite with Venables had been widely speculated in the wake of his departure from Clemson, where he had spent much of the past 16 years contributing to the Tigers’ defensive success.
In a statement, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reflected on Goodwin’s impact on the program. “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 said. “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.
I know he has a bright future ahead.” Goodwin’s time at Clemson was marked by consistent success in the defensive department. Before stepping into the role of defensive coordinator in 2022, he served in various capacities with the Tigers, including defensive analyst (2012-14) and senior defensive assistant (2018-21). During that time, Goodwin helped oversee defensive breakdowns, assisted with opponent scouting, and played a pivotal role in recruiting, including liaising with NFL scouts. His influence was especially felt under Venables’ leadership, as Clemson’s defense ranked no lower than 15th in total defense in each season after 2018, with three of those years finishing in the top eight. In his final season as defensive coordinator, Clemson’s defense faltered, slipping to 28th in the defensive FEI rankings, a stark contrast to the team’s third-place finish the previous year.
This shift, coupled with the program’s declining defensive metrics, led to the decision for a change at the position.
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