BREAKING NEWS: Former Clemson Coach Wesley Goodwin Sends a Strong Message to Dabo Swinney Amid Critical Season for the Tigers
Former Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator and interim head coach Wesley Goodwin, who is currently coaching outside linebackers and assistant linebackers at the University of Oklahoma, sent a surprising and heartfelt message to current Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney in a move that has garnered a lot of attention in the college football community. Insiders have described the message as both “supportive and cautionary” as the Tigers get closer to what many are calling a defining season for Swinney’s tenure.
According to reports, the mentee shared the confidential communication with his mentor earlier this week. Additionally, it occurs at a moment when Swinney’s team is under growing pressure to change or risk falling behind in the rapidly changing college football scene.
The relationship between Dabo Swinney and Wesley Goodwin extends well beyond the field. Goodwin, a very strategic and cerebral football thinker, worked at Clemson for over ten years in a variety of positions, starting as a graduate assistant, moving up to defensive analyst, and then getting elevated to defensive coordinator after Brent Venables left for Oklahoma.
Goodwin gained a reputation for being modest, careful, and passionately devoted under Swinney’s guidance—qualities Swinney publicly commended during his time there. However, Goodwin accepted a coaching position under Venables at Oklahoma in 2024 following a challenging season in which the Tigers finished outside the top 10 for the second consecutive year.
, where he now works in a more focused positional role with linebackers.
Despite the transition, Goodwin’s appreciation for Swinney’s impact on his career has remained undiminished.
According to sources close to both coaching staffs, Goodwin’s message was delivered privately but intended with significant weight. In it, he reportedly praised Swinney for his commitment to culture, integrity, and long-term vision, but also challenged him to reassess key decisions in light of the changing college football landscape.
The message is believed to be in response to increased scrutiny on Swinney’s stance against the transfer portal and the program’s lagging NIL strategy—two factors that many analysts say are hindering Clemson’s ability to compete with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, and even Florida State.The values you built this program on still matter,” Goodwin added. “But don’t let those values prevent you from adapting. The kids are different, the system is different—Clemson has to evolve to keep leading.”
Clemson enters the 2025 season coming off a 9–4 campaign, one marked by inconsistent quarterback play, depth issues at key positions, and growing public frustration. For a program that won national championships in 2016 and 2018, expectations are high—and the pressure on Swinney to deliver results without modernizing his approach is at a boiling point.
What makes Goodwin’s message particularly notable is not just the timing, but the tone. Rather than criticizing or airing grievances publicly, the former coordinator is choosing to communicate respectfully, directly, and with clear purpose—hoping to encourage growth without undermining Swinney’s core principles.
Swinney’s Silent Response: Reading Between the Lines
While Coach Swinney has not publicly commented on Goodwin’s message, during a recent press availability at the Clemson Athletics Complex, he offered remarks that many interpreted as a subtle acknowledgment of the conversationThis program’s always been about relationships,” Swinney said. “I’ve heard from a lot of people this offseason—some former players, some former staff. The people who know what we’re about, they still believe in what we’re doing.”
He added:But belief doesn’t mean stubbornness. It means doing the hard things when the time comes—and that’s what we’re preparing to do.”
That kind of language—a blend of loyalty to values and recognition of the need for adjustment—has become more common from Swinney in recent months, suggesting he may be gradually opening up to new strategies, especially as NIL deals, realignment, and player mobility reshape the sport.
Reactions Around the College Football World
News of Goodwin’s message has triggered a flood of reactions from both fans and former Clemson players:
- “Wesley Goodwin speaking up like this just shows what kind of man and coach he is. No drama, just truth,” said former Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware on social media.
- “Dabo needs more voices like Wesley’s around him—smart, loyal, and honest,” added a fan post on the Clemson247 board.
- ESPN analyst David Pollack weighed in, saying, “It’s a sign of respect when a former coach can say the hard stuff. That means they care.”
At Oklahoma, Brent Venables declined to comment on the specifics of the message, but praised Goodwin as “one of the most insightful and humble people I’ve ever coached with.”
There is no sugar-coating it: this year is critical for Clemson.
Among the major questions facing the program:
- Can sophomore QB Tavien Holmes, a dual-threat star out of North Carolina, handle the pressure of leading the Tigers back to prominence?
- Will Swinney finally embrace the transfer portal to fill key gaps, particularly on the offensive line and secondary?
- Can Clemson regain its edge in recruiting, especially with emerging SEC powers like Tennessee and Ole Miss making inroads in the Carolinas?
If Swinney continues to resist modern tactics, many experts believe Clemson risks slipping out of playoff contention for good. But if he adapts while staying true to his culture-driven philosophy, there’s still time for a resurgence.
In the end, Wesley Goodwin’s message wasn’t just about Clemson—it was about leadership under fire.
At a time when it’s easy to attack or criticize from afar, Goodwin chose to speak from a place of respect, history, and brotherhood. His words serve not just as a personal reminder to Swinney, but as a broader lesson for leaders everywhere:
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