New Clemson DC Wes Goodwin shares origin story behind 'Weslichick' nickname

New Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin has a nickname that compares him to one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history. Goodwin is called by some as “Weslichick,” putting him there with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

As a head coach, Belichick has won more 280 NFL games with six Super Bowl championships. He has made the playoffs 18 times. While Goodwin is still very young in his coaching career at Clemson, he is honored to be mentioned alongside one of the best to ever do it.

“I have such great respect for Coach Belichick and all that he’s accomplished,” Goodwin said. “Hopefully one day I can live up to that nickname. But just to even be mentioned in that same breath is truly an honor.”

Goodwin said that his ‘Weslichick nickname began while he was at Mississippi State.

“I’m pretty sure it was Ryan Hollern at Mississippi State who’s now with the New York Giants as Joe (Judge)’s right hand man up there,” Goodwin said of the origin of his nickname.

Goodwin returned to Clemson in 2018 as a defensive analyst. It is his third stint with the Tigers. Goodwin will now serve as Clemson’s co-defensive coordinator alongside Mickey Conn.

Clemson staff, former players are high on Goodwin

In a report by On3’s Matt Connolly, current and former Clemson players and staff members praised Goodwin as he gets set for his new role with the Tigers.

“He’s a genius. He is a football mastermind,” said one former Clemson player. “He really reminds me a lot of – I don’t want to compare him to [Bill] Belichick, but that’s the vibes I get. Like it’s football only. Dude doesn’t leave the office. He’s a grinder. He knows every single piece about defensive football.”

Goodwin originally worked at Clemson from 2009-2011 as a graduate assistant and a defensive analyst for 2012-2014.

A former Clemson staff member also had high praise for the Tigers’ new co-defensive coordinator.

“He is a brilliant football mind. We called him Wesilchick – short for Belichick. Probably the most underrated football coach in all of college football. He is one of the best defensive minds I’ve ever been around. He is a great teacher, he has great patience, he has a humbleness about him. Although as smart as he is, he carries himself in a great way,” the former staff member said.

“I just think he’s been around sports and been around people that know sports at a high level for a long time. I think he just gets it. He’s very passionate about what he does. There’s nobody that’s going to work harder than Wes. He’s always the first one in and last one out. That’s all I’ve known him as is a worker, a grinder, just a brilliant football mind.”