Wake Forest University has officially announced the hiring of Jake Dickert as the new head coach of its football program, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Demon Deacons following the resignation of Dave Clawson, who led the team for 11 seasons.
Jake Dickert, 41, arrives at Wake Forest with experience as head coach of Washington State University, where he guided the Cougars to an impressive 8-4 record this past season. His successful track record includes leading Washington State to three bowl games during his four seasons at the helm, with an overall record of 23 wins and 20 losses.
Wake Forest's Vice President & Director of Athletics, John Currie, highlighted the thorough search process leading to Dickert's selection, stating, "Throughout this process, we were able to move quickly to secure an outstanding new head coach for our program." This statement reflects the urgency and importance of finding the right leadership to navigate the team through recent challenges.
President Susan R. Wente praised Dickert's commitment to fostering excellence and developing student-athletes. "Jake Dickert's demonstrated commitment across his coaching career to fostering excellence and developing student-athletes with character and integrity are closely aligned with Wake Forest's mission and values," Wente stated, emphasizing the alignment between Dickert's philosophy and the university's values.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Dickert said, "I cannot tell you how excited, proud, and honored I am to be the head football coach at Wake Forest University." He underscored his commitment to building relationships with current student-athletes and earning their trust as his top priority.
Having taken over the Washington State program midway through the 2021 season after the firing of Nick Rolovich, Dickert has navigated through challenging circumstances. He successfully led the Cougars to significant victories, including three bowl appearances and strong performances against ranked opponents. Notably, the Cougars became known for their offensive prowess, averaging 36.8 points per game this past season, which ranked them 11th nationally.
Reflecting on his time at Washington State, Dickert stated, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the players, staff, and leadership at Washington State University. I will forever be thankful for their belief in me and the opportunity to lead a program... the relationships built there will remain a cherished part of our journeys." His departure highlights the challenges of coaching transitions amid changing conference landscapes, especially for programs like Washington State, which have faced instability due to conference realignment.
Currie remarked on Dickert's fit for Wake Forest, stating, "Jake Dickert is the perfect fit to lead Wake Forest football... His philosophy of fostering personal growth, cultivating trust within the team, and relentlessly competing for championships embodies the principles we hold dear." This comment conveys the administration's high expectations for Dickert, particularly as the team seeks to rebuild following Clawson's resignation after back-to-back seasons with only four wins.
During Clawson's tenure, Wake Forest experienced success, including seven bowl appearances and its first-ever ACC Atlantic Division title. The team's recent struggles, characterized by two consecutive losing seasons, have prompted the search for new leadership capable of restoring the program to its previous competitive heights. Dickert's experience and success at Washington State suggest he may be the right leader to navigate these challenges.
Looking forward, Dickert emphasized not only his intention to retain the current roster but also his focus on adding valuable pieces to the program. "We will have a clear focus on retaining our current roster... I am excited to immerse myself in this special community as throughout this process my belief has strengthened," he noted, showcasing his commitment to the Wake Forest community and its values.
Currie also assured student-athletes about the transition, saying, "We know this is a time of uncertainty for our student-athletes... Coach Dickert's approach to building a program through evaluation and development of talent with detail and discipline reflects what made previous coaches successful here." This sentiment may help ease concerns among the players during this transition period.
With Dickert taking the reins, Wake Forest anticipates fostering growth and success both on and off the field as they work to overcome recent challenges and embrace the future. The community and Deacon Nation are eager for what Dickert will bring to the program, signaling hope for new achievements and rekindled success.
