The Clemson Tigers’ 2024 college football season ended with a 10-4 record and an ACC Championship after a thrilling 34-31 victory over the SMU Mustangs. This triumph secured them a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, which represented a significant achievement after a turbulent start to the season. However, Clemson’s playoff journey was short-lived, as they were defeated by the Texas Longhorns in the first round, falling 38-24.
While the playoff exit was disappointing for the Tigers, it wasn’t entirely unexpected given the rollercoaster nature of their 2024 season. At various points during the regular season, Clemson seemed to be on the brink of falling out of contention, but they always managed to rally and find a way back into the conversation. With some help from other teams faltering, Clemson fought through adversity, ultimately securing an ACC Championship and a playoff berth despite the occasional struggles that characterized their year. It was a resilient performance, and while they fell short in the postseason, the Tigers’ ability to overcome challenges made the 2024 season a success in many respects.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, expectations for the Tigers will once again be sky-high. They are entering the offseason with a promising roster and the desire to build on their accomplishments. Despite their early exit from the playoff, Clemson’s talent pool remains one of the deepest in college football, with both sides of the ball boasting key returning players. With this core of talent, the Tigers will look to continue competing at the highest level.
However, while the on-field talent looks strong, Clemson will face significant changes in its coaching staff. One of the most notable shifts came on Monday, when head coach Dabo Swinney officially announced that defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin would not be returning for the 2025 season. This move had been speculated for some time, and it was confirmed by Swinney with a statement released on the team’s official website.
The decision to part ways with Goodwin is a critical one for Clemson’s future, especially given the team’s goal of competing for a national title in 2025. Swinney, in his statement, reflected on Goodwin’s long tenure with the program, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the years. “After meeting with Coach Goodwin on Sunday evening, I have decided to make a change at our defensive coordinator position. 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,” Swinney said. “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.”
Goodwin’s departure marks the end of a significant era for the Clemson football program. He had been with the team in various roles for over a decade, starting as a graduate assistant in 2009 and working his way up through the ranks. After his initial stint with the Tigers, Goodwin took a brief detour to the NFL, serving as an assistant to the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2015 to 2017. He returned to Clemson in 2018 as a senior defensive assistant and was eventually promoted to defensive coordinator in 2022 following the departure of longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who left to become the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners.
Under Goodwin’s leadership, the defense showed flashes of brilliance, but there were also significant struggles, particularly in 2024. Despite having some of the best talent in the country, the defense failed to reach its typical elite status, especially in the area of rushing defense. Inconsistencies in stopping the run became one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses, and it played a role in their early exit from the College Football Playoff. Given Clemson’s historical reputation for stout defenses, the lack of dominance on that side of the ball was a major concern, ultimately leading to the decision to move on from Goodwin.
As Clemson moves forward with the search for a new defensive coordinator, the Tigers will be looking for someone who can return the defense to its former glory. With such a wealth of talent on that side of the ball, the right hire could be the difference between a good team and a great team in 2025. Clemson’s defense has long been a hallmark of the program, and restoring that level of dominance will be a priority.
The incoming defensive coordinator will inherit a roster filled with playmakers. The defensive line, always a strength for Clemson, remains one of the best in the country, and the linebacker corps is also loaded with talent. In the secondary, Clemson has a mix of experienced players and emerging stars who have the potential to develop into top-tier performers. However, to maximize this talent, the new defensive coordinator will need to implement a system that can address the issues Clemson faced in 2024, particularly in terms of run defense and overall consistency.
Swinney has already made it clear that he intends to move quickly in finding a replacement, stating, “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.”
The search for the new defensive coordinator will be one of the most important decisions Swinney makes in the offseason. With the talent on both sides of the ball, Clemson is well-positioned to make a run at a national title in 2025. However, the success of the team will ultimately depend on the ability of the defense to perform at a championship level. The new defensive coordinator must be able to harness the talent at his disposal and put together a scheme that can shut down the high-powered offenses the Tigers will face in the coming season.
While the change at defensive coordinator is significant, it is just one part of the puzzle as Clemson looks to build on the success of the 2024 season and position itself for a successful 2025 campaign. The offense, led by quarterback Cade Klubnik, will return with the potential to be one of the most potent units in college football. However, for Clemson to reach its full potential, the defense must be able to complement the offense and make the necessary improvements.
As the Tigers move forward into the offseason, the coaching staff changes and roster adjustments will play a significant role in determining their success in 2025. The defense will need to get back to the level that fans and analysts expect from Clemson, and with the right hire at defensive coordinator, the Tigers could very well be in the hunt for another College Football Playoff appearance — and perhaps even a national championship.
