The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have discovered their subsequent head coach.
After former head coach Dave Clawson announced his resignation after 11 seasons on the program, Wake Forest employed Washington State’s Jake Dickert as its subsequent head coach, per Dan Morrison of On3.
Washington State was Dickert’s first head teaching job, following earlier stints in Division II, the FCS ranks and as Wyoming’s defensive coordinator below head coach Craig Bohl.
Dickert joined the Cougars’ workers as defensive coordinator below former coach Nick Rolovich. After Rolovich was fired halfway by way of the 2021 season, Dickert took over and have become the everlasting head coach following that season.
Whereas the Cougars had the Eleventh-best scoring offense (36.8 PPG) within the nation this season, behind QB John Mateer’s FBS-leading 44 whole touchdowns, hiring Dickert is a wierd selection, to say the least, for Wake Forest.
After beginning the 2024 season 8-1, Washington State misplaced its final three video games and had the 78th-ranked protection within the nation, permitting 27.9 factors per recreation, per TeamRankings.
In his profession at Washington State, the 41-year-old Dickert compiled a 23-20 report. In his three full seasons on the helm, Washington State certified for 2 bowl video games, together with the Vacation Bowl this season vs. No. 21 Syracuse on Dec. 27. Nevertheless, the crew failed to succeed in a bowl recreation within the 2023 season with a 5-7 report.
Though Washington State performed a Pac-12 schedule in every of Dickert’s prior seasons, 2024 was a lot totally different. The Cougars performed in a two-team Pac-12 with Oregon State and a schedule primarily consisting of Mountain West opponents.
Washington State has been stable below Dickert, however the outcomes haven’t been eye-opening. This makes this choice dangerous for the Cougars, contemplating Washington State is Dickert’s solely prior head teaching expertise.
With that mentioned, Dickert has coached QBs Cam Ward, who is anticipated to be one of many high picks within the 2025 NFL Draft, and Mateer, who’s a extremely sought-after switch after getting into the portal on Monday. Dickert’s potential and expertise teaching proficient QBs are obvious, however it’s a tall job nonetheless and an fascinating selection by Wake Forest.
Dickert replaces Clawson and inherits a program coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons. Though Clawson led Wake Forest to seven bowl appearances throughout his 11 seasons on the sidelines and an 11-win season in 2021 that included the ACC’s Atlantic Division title, the Demon Deacons have struggled since then.
Dickert brings restricted head teaching expertise with him, and he takes over a program that solely scored 23.9 factors per recreation in 2024, which was 88th within the nation, according to TeamRankings.
With a lot roster overhaul lately, Dickert’s 2025 Wake Forest crew will seemingly be a lot totally different from 2024. This job might show tough for somebody with restricted head teaching expertise and a report barely above .500.
Dickert might be able to flip the Wake Forest program round in the long run. Nonetheless, the rent raises some eyebrows at first look, particularly contemplating the place the Demon Deacons at the moment stand within the ever-changing panorama of school soccer.
