John Dell
Wake Forest has found its next football coach.
Jake Dickert of Washington State, who was 23-20 in four years in Pullman, Washington, has been named to replace Dave Clawson who resigned on Monday morning.
Wake Forest made the announcement official on Wednesday afternoon after reports surfaced that Dickert had taken the job.
"I cannot tell you how excited, proud and honored I am to be the head football coach at Wake Forest," Dickert said in a statement released by Wake Forest. "It has been an exhilarating journey since my first conversations with Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie, President Susan R. Wente and the Athletics and University leadership."
Dickert, 41, was the defensive coordinator at Washington State but became head coach in 2020 when Nick Rolovich was replaced for not complying with the vaccine mandate during the pandemic, according to the Seattle Times.
Unlike other football searches for major coaching jobs, this one was swift. Clawson officially resigned on Sunday night and news started getting out on Monday, but about 48 hours after that Wake Forest had its next coach.
"Throughout this process, beyond President Wente and John, I was grateful to be able to meet with Provost Michele Gillespie, Vice President of Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd Brown, President of the Faculty Senate Saylor Breckenridge and many other campus leaders who displayed the institutional alignment of Wake Forest," Dickert said in the news release.
One of Clawson's strengths in his 11 seasons on the job at Wake Forest was building a sense of community at the small school. The Demon Deacons went to seven straight bowl games and were 5-2 in those bowl games.
Dickert said he plans to embark on a similar path in revamping the program, which has been 4-8 the last two seasons.
"My No. 1 priority will be building relationships with our current student-athletes and earning their trust," he said. "We will have a clear focus on retaining our current roster while adding valuable pieces that fit our program and Wake Forest. Additionally, I am excited to immerse myself in this special community, as throughout this process my belief that this is the perfect place for our family and our program only strengthened."
Dickert arrived at Washington State after working three seasons at the University of Wyoming (2017-19), including the 2019 campaign as the defensive coordinator while working with the linebackers and safeties.
Before arriving at Wyoming, Dickert spent the 2016 season as the safeties coach and co-special teams coordinator at South Dakota State. Earlier in his career, Dickert worked on the coaching staff at North Dakota State, from 2008-10.
"Jake Dickert is the perfect fit to lead Wake Forest football into our next chapter of football success," Currie said in a statement. "Throughout this process, our team conducted an extensive and detailed search, carefully evaluating not only Coach Dickert's coaching achievements but also his character, leadership and alignment with the values that define Wake Forest."
Currie said as he looked for more information on Dickert, he saw many positives.
"At Washington State, and throughout his career, Coach Dickert has earned a reputation as a tireless worker, an innovative coach, and a mentor who empowers his players on and off the field," Currie said. "His track record of success, both in leading his team to competitive excellence and ensuring his student-athletes graduate as future leaders, reflects the holistic approach that has defined Wake Forest football."
It can be argued that the last two football coaches at Wake Forest, Jim Grobe and Clawson, had the two best eras in school history. Grobe won an ACC championship in 2006 and Clawson's 2021 team that went 11-3 lost in the ACC championship game to Pitt.
Grobe had 77 wins in his career, tied with Peahead Walker for the most wins in school history. Clawson's 67 wins are third in school history.
Now, the challenge for Dickert in the Name, Image and Likeness era with the transfer portal is to find a place for Wake Forest in the current landscape.
"As I continued to learn more about this extraordinary university, I couldn't help but notice how well Wake Forest's core values align with our program principles," Dickert said. "Together, we will build on the incredible foundation laid by Coach Dave Clawson, Coach Jim Grobe and those before them. Our team will compete at a championship level, excel in the classroom, and serve the community with pride. You will be proud of the way we represent Wake Forest on and off the field."
The Cougars, who are 8-4 this season, will play on Friday in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego against Syracuse.
Dickert, who has been a college football coach for 17 seasons, has proven to be a consistent developer of NFL caliber talent throughout his career.
In four seasons as the head coach at Washington State, Dickert has had a winning record and gone to a bowl three times, and during his tenure the Cougars have ranked inside of the top 20 each of the last two seasons, climbing as high as No. 13 in 2023.
Much like Clawson, who sent several players to the NFL, Dickert has done the same at Washington State. In the last three NFL Draft cycles, Dickert has had seven players selected, and the three draft picks in 2024 marked the most for Washington State since 2005.
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Jake Dickert's Head Coaching Career
2024: Washington State 8-4, Holiday Bowl on Friday
2023: Washington State 5-7
2022: Washington State 7-6, LA Bowl (L)
2021: Washington State 3-3, Sun Bowl (L)
Totals: 23-20
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