In a headline-grabbing moment from the heart of the college football offseason, former Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin now serving as the assistant linebackers and outside linebackers coach at the University of Oklahoma has sent a heartfelt and thought-provoking message to his former boss, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. The message, shared during a recent coaching symposium hosted in Dallas, touched on themes of evolution, identity, and accountability in one of college football’s most storied programs.
Goodwin, long regarded as one of the brightest defensive minds in the game, worked his way up through the Clemson coaching ranks before ultimately succeeding Brent Venables as defensive coordinator in 2021. However, his tenure was met with mixed results, and after a reshuffling in the coaching staff last season, Goodwin quietly departed and found a new home with the Oklahoma Sooners—reuniting with his mentor Venables.
While the transition was handled diplomatically on both sides, this is the first time Goodwin has spoken publicly about the state of the Clemson program, and his words have already ignited a firestorm of debate throughout college football circles.
“Clemson Has to Decide Who It Wants to Be”
Speaking at a panel on defensive innovation and coaching leadership, Goodwin was asked about his time at Clemson and how programs should adapt to the changing college football landscape. What began as a general reflection quickly turned into a direct, passionate commentary—aimed squarely at his former team.
“Clemson has to decide who it wants to be,” Goodwin said. “Is it still the team that built itself on discipline, toughness, and player development—or is it trying to keep up with the NIL-fueled, transfer portal-flooded, flash-over-foundation programs out there now?”
While Goodwin emphasized his continued respect for Swinney and the Clemson staff, his remarks were clearly a call to action—one rooted in concern for the program’s identity.
“I’m not throwing stones. I owe a lot to Coach Swinney and that program,” Goodwin said. “But I also know what we built during the glory years. That foundation’s been cracked—not by any one decision, but by a reluctance to evolve in key areas. And that’s got to change.”
A Message Rooted in Loyalty, Not Criticism
Multiple sources close to both programs have confirmed that Goodwin has maintained a professional and respectful relationship with Swinney even after his departure. In fact, part of what makes this message so compelling is that it comes not from a bitter former staffer, but from a loyal disciple who still wants to see Clemson succeed.
“Wesley’s not a guy who goes public unless he’s trying to make a point with purpose,” said one former Clemson assistant. “He still bleeds orange in a lot of ways—but he sees what’s coming, and he knows Clemson can’t get left behind.”
Indeed, Goodwin’s message to Swinney focused on three critical areas where he believes the program must shift gears:
1. Adapt to the Modern NIL/Transfer Landscape
Goodwin didn’t mince words when addressing what many have called Clemson’s “old-school” approach to NIL and the transfer portal.
“It’s not about selling out. It’s about staying competitive,” Goodwin said. “Kids today want to see a path. They want to know their development matters—but they also want to feel valued. That doesn’t mean throwing money around, but it does mean embracing the new reality and building around it, not in spite of it.”
Swinney has previously made headlines for his lukewarm stance on the transfer portal and his strong emphasis on developing players internally—a strategy that worked brilliantly a decade ago but is now being questioned in the wake of back-to-back seasons without a College Football Playoff appearance.
2. Rebuild the Defensive Identity
Goodwin also sent a clear message about the defensive standard at Clemson, a unit he once led and helped engineer during championship-caliber seasons.
“Defense used to be our calling card,” Goodwin said. “Not just statistically, but emotionally. You felt the intensity from snap one. That’s faded. It’s not about scheme—it’s about edge. And that’s what I’m trying to help bring back here at Oklahoma.”
Goodwin praised individual talent on the current Clemson roster but questioned whether the unit had the same hunger and cohesion that once defined it.
“You can’t coach toughness in a playbook. It’s got to be part of your culture.”
3. Empower Younger Coaches and New Ideas
Perhaps the most surprising message from Goodwin was his call for Swinney to open the door wider to younger voices and fresh perspectives within the program.
“You’ve got to make room for new energy,” he said. “That doesn’t mean changing who you are—but it means being willing to listen to new voices, younger coaches, analytics, different approaches to strength and conditioning. Great programs don’t just cling to tradition—they evolve while honoring it.”
This appeared to be a subtle reference to Swinney’s tendency to promote from within and lean heavily on loyalty, which some critics say has led to stagnation in certain areas of the coaching staff.
Dabo Swinney Responds: “Wesley Will Always Be Part of the Family”
In a written statement released through Clemson’s athletic department later that day, Dabo Swinney responded with grace and positivity.
“Wesley Goodwin is a great coach, a great man, and someone who poured his heart into this program for many years,” Swinney wrote. “We wish him all the best at Oklahoma. I appreciate his perspective—and like we always say, iron sharpens iron.”
Swinney did not address the specific critiques raised by Goodwin, but insiders say the message has already prompted internal conversations within Clemson’s football operations.
Oklahoma’s Gain, Clemson’s Wake-Up Call?
At Oklahoma, Goodwin has already begun working closely with defensive coordinator Ted Roof and head coach Brent Venables, helping to re-establish the defensive pedigree that Venables once exported from Clemson.
“Wesley brings structure, accountability, and a deep knowledge of the game,” Venables said last week. “He’s going to help us get better, plain and simple.”
Many see his role at Oklahoma as a stepping stone back to a defensive coordinator or even head coaching job in the near future. If so, this public message to Swinney may serve both as a warning and as a preview of the leadership philosophy Goodwin is developing for himself.
Final Thoughts: A Tipping Point for Clemson?
Clemson football is at a crossroads. With the ACC becoming increasingly competitive and playoff expansion raising the stakes, the margin for error is shrinking fast. Wesley Goodwin’s message was more than a coaching anecdote—it was a rallying cry for one of college football’s most influential programs to re-center itself.