CLEMSON, S.C. — In a significant coaching change, Wes Goodwin has been dismissed from his position as the defensive coordinator at Clemson, as announced by head coach Dabo Swinney on Monday.

Goodwin’s tenure included three seasons, but the Tigers have struggled defensively, particularly against the run. Currently, they stand at 85th nationally in rushing defense, having allowed opponents to gain over 200 rushing yards in five separate games. A particularly rough outing came during the College Football Playoff, where they conceded 292 rushing yards to Texas, marking their highest total allowed in a decade. The game also saw two Longhorns running backs surpass the 100-yard mark.

Goodwin, who is 40 years old, took on the role of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach following the Tigers’ victory over Iowa State in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl.

In a statement, Swinney expressed gratitude for Goodwin’s contributions, highlighting his character, commitment, and strong leadership. “Wes has been part of our program for 13 of the last 16 years, and he has played a crucial role in our achievements,” Swinney noted. He further conveyed his well-wishes for Goodwin and his family, acknowledging that Goodwin has a promising future ahead of him.

Swinney also indicated that he is aiming to have a new defensive coordinator in place by the end of the month, setting the stage for a potential overhaul of the team’s defensive strategy moving forward.