• Formally named as Clemson’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on Dec. 14, 2021 prior to Clemson’s victory against Iowa State in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl. • Though in his second full season in an on-field role at Clemson, the 2023 season will be his 12th overall season across two tenures with the Tigers. • 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), passes defensed (9th, 77) and opponent fourth down percentage (10th, 37.5). • Guided linebackers Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to All-America honors in 2022, while fellow linebacker Trenton Simpson became a projected early round selection 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 the final season of his first stint at Clemson in 2014, 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. One thing is for sure – they are going to be an attacking type of defense and I know he is going to do great things with this opportunity.” • 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 Swinney’s promotion in December 2021: “All I can tell you is Wes Goodwin is special. Everybody that has ever worked with him, everybody who knows him, these players, they know who he is and what he’s capable of … There’s a reason those NFL guys have been trying to hire him. He’s a very, very, very, very talented young coach with an incredibly bright future.” • Continued Swinney: “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.

*Courtesy Clemson Media Guide