ORLANDO — As debuts go it was a mixed bag for 37-year-old Wes Goodwin, hailed by some as a younger genius but confronted with the difficult activity of effectively succeeding multi-millionaire mastermind Brent Venables as Clemson’s defensive coordinator.

Goodwin – known by some friends as “Weslichick” as a toast to a Bill Belichick-like soccer IQ – didn’t present to explain Bitcoin mining or the metaverse at halftime.

The Mississippi State graduate from tiny Grove Hill Ala., native wasn’t carrying a Rubik’s Cube on the sideline.

But the appreciably banged up protection he ran in his extremely initial video game as Clemson’s defensive coordinator was the highlight Dec. 29 at Camping Earth Stadium in a 20-13 Cheez-It Bowl victory around Iowa State.

As marketed, the veteran team assistant and analyst who hadn’t been a complete-fledged coach till Venables left for Oklahoma earlier in December was all set.

“To be truthful, I necessarily mean I by no means was nervous at all,” Goodwin explained after No. 19 Clemson (10-3) completed the period with its sixth consecutive win. “I signify, I’ve been planning for this minute for a very long time. I received in the move of the video game and it just started out rolling from there.”

Goodwin was dressed in a purple windbreaker to adhere out from other Clemson coaches in orange as he known as defenses with hand indicators.