WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A lot of Jake Dickert’s new job as Wake Forest coach appears totally different from his time at Washington State, however he says he arrives with the identical rules which have helped him up to now.
Dickert was launched Thursday in entrance of boosters and fewer than a dozen gamers. He was desirous to delve deeper into participant relationships.
“My No. 1 priority is to retain this football team,” Dickert stated.
Dickert went 23-20 in three-plus seasons at Washington State. He gained’t be main the Cougars for the Vacation Bowl on Dec. 27 in opposition to Syracuse.
As an alternative, he’s making an attempt to construct Wake Forest’s roster for subsequent season whereas acclimating to a brand new a part of the nation and challenges in a Energy 4 convention. He stated location mattered in his choice.
“I’m a small-town Midwestern kid,” he stated. “I’m excited to get to this region of the country.”
Dickert, 41, replaces Dave Clawson, who resigned earlier this week after 11 seasons and a 67-69 file that included a 5-2 bowl mark. It’s Dickert’s second head-coaching job throughout a 17-year profession on school staffs.
“One of the first things that really drew me to Wake Forest is stability,” Dickert stated. “In kind of a chaotic, turbulent college football scene, stability here at Wake Forest was vitally important.”
Stability has been a attribute within the Wake Forest soccer workplace, with Clawson following Jim Grobe (2001-13). Whereas different packages have frequent adjustments on the prime, a training announcement is uncommon for the Demon Deacons.
“We’ve only done this twice this century,” athletic director John Currie stated.
Dickert stated it’s clear that Wake Forest’s dedication to sports activities, whilst a small, non-public college, is powerful.
“(You want to) build a program that can sustain,” he stated. “And when you get to that level, you’ve got to be willing to invest in the players. That was part of this process. We just didn’t have the resources where I was at to take and keep and retain our players.”
Relocating goes to offer the coach entry to a distinct assortment of recruits.
“When I was at Washington State, we’re surrounded by Canada, Oregon and Idaho,” Dickert stated. “Not exactly the recruiting mecca of the U.S.”
But Wake Forest is likely one of the smallest faculties competing within the Bowl Subdivision. It’s a matter of perspective.
“We flew in on the (charter) plane,” Dickert stated. “We looked out the windows, and my kids were like, ‘This is a big city.’”
Dickert held a Zoom assembly with gamers, most of whom left campus by semester’s finish, on Wednesday. He was scheduling conferences with some gamers, together with working again Demond Claiborne, on Thursday.
The Demon Deacons have been stunned by Clawson stepping down and the hiring of a brand new coach all in a matter of some days.
“It has been crazy. Everything got flipped on its head,” working again Tate Carney stated after Thursday’s formal introduction. “I’m excited to find out what his plan is for me and everybody else on the team. Everybody’s head is in kind of a different spot right now.”
Wake Forest has completed with back-to-back 4-8 information, although the Demon Deacons produced an 11-win season in 2021 once they reached the ACC championship sport.
Washington State, which has been within the Prime 25 in each 2023 and this yr, is not a part of an influence convention for the reason that dismantling of the Pac-12 and former members scattering to the ACC, Huge 12 and Huge Ten.
Dickert was involved with Clawson, who’ll stay on the college in an advisory function.
“I’ve made no secret that the last two years have been very frustrating,” Clawson stated Tuesday. “I think the transfer portal and (NIL) has made this job more difficult. However, the advent of revenue sharing is going to make this job much better again.”
Dickert was prepared to maneuver.
“It was about timing,” he stated. “I felt comfortable there (at Washington State). It was a special place to me. They gave me my first opportunity and that meant a lot to me, but this is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Clawson requested Wake Forest supporters to offer a brand new coach time.
“You guys were patient with me, you’re going to need to be patient with him,” he stated earlier this week. “Just the last two years, recruiting and all that stuff, losing players, has happened here. So I think it is going to be a little bit of a rebuilding job.”
Dickert is able to go full-speed forward.
“I told our guys, ‘Be ready,’” he stated. “This time next year, we’re not going to be on Zoom. We’re going to be preparing for a bowl game.”
