Clemson Tigers Football: The Road to 2025 and the Search for a New Defensive Coordinator
After a thrilling 2024 campaign, the Clemson Tigers football team is gearing up for what could be a special 2025 season. While their year was marked by a strong recovery from a subpar 2023, culminating in an ACC Championship and a double-digit win total, the Tigers’ journey didn’t end the way they had hoped. After earning a spot in the College Football Playoff, Clemson faced an early exit, but the experience left plenty of valuable lessons for both the players and coaching staff.
2024: A Year of Highs and Lows
In many ways, the 2024 season represented a redemption story for Clemson. After underperforming in 2023, questions arose about the team’s ability to remain competitive among the college football elite. But the Tigers bounced back with resilience. They captured the ACC title, a crucial step in reasserting themselves as one of the nation’s premier programs. However, despite the success in the conference, Clemson ran into one of the toughest teams in the country during the first round of the College Football Playoff. The result was an early and disappointing exit, but it wasn’t all negative.
There were several positive takeaways from the season, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers’ offense showed significant improvement, notably in the passing game, where they faced one of the best defenses in college football. Quarterback Cade Klubnik emerged as a standout performer, cementing his place as a leader for the team. Klubnik’s development throughout the season was a bright spot and one of the most promising aspects for Clemson moving into 2025. His poised performance and ability to lead the offense were crucial, and his decision to return for his senior year adds a layer of excitement for next season.
In addition to Klubnik’s rise, wide receiver Antonio Williams proved to be one of the standout playmakers for Clemson’s offense. His ability to stretch the field and make critical catches in important moments was a significant part of the Tigers’ offensive success. With Klubnik and Williams returning, Clemson’s offense has the potential to be explosive in 2025, creating high expectations for the upcoming season.
Defensive Struggles in 2024
While the offense flourished, the defense struggled significantly during the 2024 campaign. Particularly concerning was the Tigers’ inability to stop the run. For a program that has long prided itself on defensive excellence, this was a glaring weakness. The team’s poor rushing defense contributed to several tough losses, leaving fans and analysts questioning what went wrong and what changes would be made for 2025.
The struggles on defense prompted a major decision by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney: the decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. The move was somewhat expected, given the historically bad performance of the Tigers’ run defense. For a program that has consistently prided itself on its defensive prowess, it was clear that a change was necessary. The failure to address the rushing defense, one of the most vital aspects of a successful defense, was a major factor in the team’s inability to make a deeper playoff run in 2024.
The search for a new defensive coordinator quickly became one of the most important storylines for Clemson heading into the offseason. Swinney is well aware that the Tigers have the talent to be one of the nation’s elite teams, and with a star quarterback returning for his final season, the window for a national championship is wide open. A new defensive coordinator will play a crucial role in ensuring the team’s defense is not a liability in 2025.
The Search for a New Defensive Coordinator
As the offseason begins, Clemson’s search for a new defensive coordinator is underway, and the stakes are high. The program cannot afford to waste another season with one of the country’s best quarterbacks without the defensive support needed to complement that talent. Several names have emerged as potential candidates to replace Goodwin, and two in particular seem to be at the forefront of the conversation.
According to Will Vandervort of The Clemson Insider, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks and Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry are the top candidates in the running for the position. Both Banks and Henry have solid reputations as defensive minds, and they each bring something different to the table that could benefit the Tigers.
Tim Banks: A Seasoned Veteran
Tim Banks comes to the table with a wealth of experience. As the defensive coordinator at Tennessee, Banks has overseen a defensive unit that was one of the best in the country in 2024, particularly when it came to defending the run. This was an area in which Clemson struggled mightily, so Banks’ ability to shore up the Tigers’ rushing defense would be invaluable. Banks has also demonstrated the ability to improve defenses at multiple programs, which makes him an attractive candidate for Clemson. His expertise in scheming against high-powered offenses and his track record of developing successful defensive units make him a prime candidate to lead Clemson’s defense back to elite status.
Aaron Henry: A Rising Star
On the other hand, Aaron Henry, the defensive coordinator at Illinois, represents a younger, yet highly promising option. Henry helped transform Illinois’ defense into one of the nation’s toughest units, and his defense was especially formidable in the Big Ten. While he doesn’t have the same level of experience as Banks, Henry has already shown the ability to get the most out of his players and build a defense that competes at a high level. Given his recent success with Illinois, it would be interesting to see how Henry could adapt his defensive philosophy to a high-profile program like Clemson. The question surrounding Henry, though, is whether he is ready to step into a position at a program with the expectations that come with being the defensive coordinator at Clemson.
What’s Next for Clemson?
For Swinney and the Tigers, the key to success in 2025 will be ensuring that their defense is up to the task of supporting an offense that has the potential to be one of the best in the nation. The pressure to make the right hire at defensive coordinator is immense. With Klubnik returning for his senior season, the time is now for Clemson to capitalize on the opportunity to compete for a national championship.
Clemson’s defensive struggles in 2024 cannot be overlooked, but they also provide an opportunity for growth and improvement. The program has the resources and talent to bounce back stronger than ever, but the right defensive leadership will be essential. As the offseason unfolds and the search for a new defensive coordinator continues, all eyes will be on Clemson to make the right choice and position themselves for a special 2025 season.
The Tigers know what they need to do to get back to the top of college football. With a dynamic offense and a defense that has the potential for major improvement, Clemson’s 2025 season could very well be the year they return to national prominence. The question is whether they can find the defensive leader who will help them get there.
