CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has made a decision about his defensive coaching staff.

Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin has been informed he will not return to run the Tigers’ defense in 2025, according to sources.

The Clemson Insider was first told earlier in the week that Swinney had informed Goodwin he was going in another direction. TCI was waiting for more official confirmation when we started hearing word on Sunday that the news was making its way around the football program.

Of course, Goodwin is already being linked to being the new defensive coordinator at Oklahoma, as TCI reported on Saturday.

Goodwin took over as defensive coordinator at Clemson after Brent Venables left for the head coaching job at Oklahoma following the 2021 regular season. Goodwin has been the Tigers’ defensive coordinator the last three seasons.

Swinney was forced to make a change at defensive coordinator after his defense struggled immensely in 2024. Clemson ranked ninth in the ACC this past season and 69th nationally by allowing 374.1 yards per game in total yards allowed.

The Tigers also allowed 23.4 points per game, good enough for sixth in the ACC and tied for 53rd nationally. The biggest drop came from their run defense.

Clemson’s run defense this year was the worst it has been since 1975, and the Tigers could not set the edge on the left side of the line for most of the season. It was especially obvious when they played well-balanced offenses.

The Tigers allowed 4.7 yards per rush this year, it worst total since 1975. Overall, Clemson gave up 160.7 yards per game on the ground, the most since 2011.

Clemson ranked 86th nationally against the run and 99th in yards per carry allowed. The 160.7 yards ranked 16th in the 17-team ACC, while the 4.7 yards per carry ranked 15th in the conference.

The Tigers just did not struggle to stop the run in 2024. They also gave up too many big plays.

Clemson gave up 73 plays of 20 or more yards, which ranked tied for 126 nationally. It also allowed 28 plays of 30 or more yards, which was tied for 91st nationally.

Last year, Goodwin received a $550,000 raise, as his annual compensation increased from $850,000 to $1.4 million. The raise made him the second highest paid coach on Swinney’s staff, behind offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who is making $1.75 million annually.

In 2023, Clemson led the ACC in total defense (287.8 ypg), while ranking No. 8 nationally. The Tigers also ranked inside the top 10 nationally in eight other defensive categories, including pass defense (No. 8: 173.2 ypg) and interceptions, which was tied for 10th with16.