Doug Goodwin graduated from Sylacauga High School in 1980 and Auburn University in 1984.

Goodwin served two years as an assistant coach at Lanett High School (1985-86) before accepting a position as the head football coach and athletic director at Marion County High School in 1987 where he remained for six seasons.

In 1987, he became the head football and baseball coach at Marion County for the next six seasons.

In 1993 he became the head football coach and athletic director at Lineville High School, where his teams won 59 games and played in the State Championship game in 1996 and 1998. Goodwin's 1996 Lineville team lost to rival Clay County 42-0 in the title game. The 1998 squad fell to Southern Choctaw 16-6.

Each of his six teams qualified for the playoffs and won the region championship. He stepped down following the 1998 season and took over the football program at Demopolis.

During his eight year tenure at Demopolis as the head football coach and athletic director (1999-2006), his teams won 82 games and the state title in 2004. Coach Goodwin's 2004 team went 15-0 and set the state record for points in a single season with 761. Each of these teams also made the playoffs at the end of the season.

In 2007 he took over as the head football coach and athletic director at Russellville High School. During his four seasons at the school, the Golden Tigers posted a record of 46-9. Once again, each of his teams made a trip to the playoffs.

Goodwin became the first Coach in AHSAA history to take three different schools to the state finals in 2008 with another trip to the Super Six. The 2009 Russellville team finished 12-3 and state runner-up for the second straight season. That team lost to Vigor 50-30 in Auburn.

In 2011 Goodwin accepted the head coaching position at Homewood High School. In three seasons, the Patriots went 23-10. Goodwin accepted a position with the Auburn football program on the support staff following the 2013 football season.

Over the course of his career his teams made 21 playoff appearances including 19 in a row. Fourteen of those teams were area or region champions and seven times his teams advanced to the semi-finals. His 108-28 region record is among the best of all time in state high school football history.

In 2004 Coach Goodwin was named the football Coach of the Year by the ASWA.