Wes Goodwin

• Formally named Clemson’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on Dec. 14, 2021 prior to the win over Iowa State in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl.

• Though in his third full season in an on-field role at Clemson, the 2024 season will be his 13th overall season across two tenures with the Tigers.

• Clemson’s 2023 defense tied for the national lead in takeaways (28), defensive touchdowns (five) and pick-sixes (four). The production in the latter two categories tied school records set in 1990.

• Clemson also ranked in the Top 10 nationally in first downs allowed per game (14.2, third), opponent passing yards per game (173.2, eighth), yards per game (287.8, eighth) and interceptions (16, T-10th) in 2023.

• Served as the position coach for Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a 2022 and 2023 All-American who became Clemson’s first multi-time All-America linebacker since Keith Adams in 1999 and 2000. Trotter exited Clemson as one of only four Power Five players in a 20-season span to record 10+ sacks, 4+ interceptions, 3+ forced fumbles and multiple pick-sixes.

• In 2023, Trotter became Clemson’s sixth Butkus Award finalist in school history after he was credited with a team-high 88 tackles, a team-best 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two interceptions (including a 28-yard pick-six). Trotter and fellow linebacker Barrett Carter were two of five Clemson defensive players to earn All-ACC recognition in 2023.

• In his first full season as defensive coordinator in 2022, Clemson ranked in the Top 25 nationally in points allowed per game (22nd, 20.9), rushing yards allowed per game (13th, 102.7), yards allowed per carry (9th, 3.25), sacks (T-4th, 44), tackles for loss (2nd, 111) and passes defensed (9th, 77).

• Guided Carter and Trotter to All-America honors in 2022, while fellow linebacker Trenton Simpson went on to become a Top 100 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

• With his performance in 2022, Carter joined Butkus Award winners Isaiah Simmons and Nakobe Dean among a short list of Power Five players to reach 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in a season since 2019. Trotter was one of only three Power Five players in 2022 to reach at least 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and return an interception for a touchdown, joining two-time Nagurski Award winner Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama and national championship participant Dee Winters of TCU.

• Served in a critical off-field role for former Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables as a defensive analyst from 2012-14 and as senior defensive assistant from 2018-21, overseeing defensive breakdowns and opponent scouting, assisting with on-campus recruiting and also serving as one of the program’s primary liaisons to NFL scouting personnel and coaches.

• First arrived at Clemson in 2009, serving as a graduate assistant from 2009-11.

• Joined the staff on a full-time basis in 2012 and oversaw the team’s secondary for its 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl win against LSU.

• In 2014, in the final season of his first stint at Clemson, Clemson finished as the nation’s top-ranked unit in total defense, third down percentage, first downs allowed and tackles for loss, all while ranking in the top five in many other statistical categories.

• Between his stints at Clemson, Goodwin spent three years with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, serving as an assistant to head coach Bruce Arians from 2015-17.

• Cardinals squads for which Goodwin worked compiled a 28-19-1 record, including a 13-3 NFC West championship season in 2015 in which Arizona reached the NFC Championship Game.

• Said Arians upon Goodwin’s promotion to defensive coordinator at Clemson: “Wesley is one of the best young defensive minds I’ve had the opportunity to work with. He was with my staff for three years in Arizona and I saw him grow defensively, and offensively, that whole time. He has a bright, bright future.”

• Began his athletic coaching career as a baseball manager at Mississippi State under legendary NCAA baseball coach Ron Polk before transitioning to football.

• Served as a student assistant and graduate assistant for the Bulldogs, working alongside head coach Sylvester Croom, defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and offensive coordinator (and current Clemson Chief of Football Administration) Woody McCorvey.

• Earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State in 2007 and his master’s degree in 2009.

• Said Head Coach Dabo Swinney upon Goodwin’s promotion in December 2021: “All I can tell you is Wes Goodwin is special… Wes has worked with the best of the best. He got his start with Ellis Johnson, and I worked with Ellis at Alabama; Ellis is one of the best. He worked with Kevin Steele; Kevin is one of the best. And then he’s been around some great ones in the NFL. Spent time with Sylvester Croom as well. He and I [smiling] have both done a tour of duty with Bruce [Arians]… We’ve always had that connection, and Bruce has tried to take him back, but we were able to hang on to him. He’s worked obviously with Brent [Venables], so he has a wealth of experience that I think he will tap into and do it his way.”

• Native of Grove Hill, Ala.