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’ employees as defensive coordinator below former coach Nick Rolovich. After Rolovich was fired halfway via 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 complete touchdowns, hiring Dickert is a wierd alternative, 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 sport, 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 staff failed to succeed in a bowl sport 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 completely 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 strong 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 predicted to be one of many high picks within the 2025 NFL Draft, and Mateer, who’s a extremely sought-after switch after coming into the portal on Monday. Dickert’s potential and expertise teaching gifted QBs are obvious, however it’s a tall job nonetheless and an attention-grabbing alternative by Wake Forest.
Dickert replaces Clawson and inherits a program coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons. Regardless that 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 sport in 2024, which was 88th within the nation, according to TeamRankings.
With a lot roster overhaul as of late, Dickert’s 2025 Wake Forest staff will doubtless be a lot completely different from 2024. This job might show tough for somebody with restricted head teaching expertise and a report barely above .500.
Dickert could possibly 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 presently stand within the ever-changing panorama of school soccer.