Blog Article

Wake Forest Football Is About To Enter A New Era Under Jake Dickert

Mark Haines on March 13, 2025

Wake Forest football needed a complete coaching overhaul after limping to a disappointing 4-8 record in 2024.

The Demon Deacons are hitting the reset button with new head coach Jake Dickert, who arrives in Winston-Salem after compiling a 23-20 record at Washington State. The former Cougars coach brings a proven track record of bowl appearances (three in four years) and a reputation for developing NFL talent. More importantly, he brings a desperately needed fresh perspective to a program that had clearly plateaued.

Here’s what Wake Forest fans need to know about the complete transformation underway:

The coaching staff has been rebuilt from the ground up

Dickert didn’t just bring a few familiar faces – he’s orchestrated a complete overhaul of the Demon Deacons’ coaching structure.

Rob Ezell (Offensive Coordinator): His South Alabama offense averaged a blistering 34.4 points per game in 2024
Scottie Hazelton (Defensive Coordinator): Brings 29 years of experience with stops at Michigan State and Texas
Effrem Reed (Running Backs): Known for developing productive rushing attacks at South Alabama
Nick Edwards (Wide Receivers): Former Washington State coach with NFL experience
Jared Kaster (Offensive Line): Another WSU connection specializing in trench development
Nick Whitworth (Special Teams): Brings consistency to an often overlooked phase of the game

Beyond on-field coaches, Dickert has built an infrastructure designed for long-term success. The program now boasts a 10-member recruiting team led by GM Rob Schlaeger and Assistant GM Russ Kieselhorst – positions that didn’t exist in the previous regime.

This isn’t just a coaching change. It’s a complete program reimagining.

Dickert survived college football chaos at Washington State

What makes Dickert uniquely qualified for this rebuilding job isn’t just his 23-20 record – it’s the circumstances under which he achieved it.

Seemingly insurmountable challenges defined his tenure at Washington State:

Financial crisis: The athletic department faced an $11 million budget reduction
Pac-12 collapse: Found his program suddenly conference-less as the Pac-12 imploded
NIL disadvantages: Lost star quarterback Cam Ward to Miami’s seven-figure NIL deal
Roster exodus: Saw 20 players enter the transfer portal in 2024 alone
Staff turnover: Constantly rebuilt his coaching staff as assistants departed

Yet, Dickert managed three bowl appearances and multiple wins over ranked opponents.

“We’re going to start from the start,” Dickert stated in his introductory press conference, signaling his methodical approach to program rebuilding.

The strategic overhaul should be immediate and noticeable

Wake Forest’s on-field product will look dramatically different in 2025.

The 2024 Demon Deacons were mediocre on offense (25.67 points per game) and downright awful on defense (32.50 points allowed). Both units lacked a clear identity – a problem Dickert’s staff is designed to solve.

Under offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, expect:

A balanced but explosive attack (his South Alabama offense averaged 34.4 PPG)
Creative utilization of running back Demond Claiborne
A quarterback competition that will define spring practice

Defensively, Scottie Hazelton brings an aggressive, turnover-focused approach that should immediately energize a unit that looked lost in 2024. Having defensive end Jasheen Davis (career: 25.5 sacks, 52 TFLs) and safety Nick Andersen (122 tackles in 2024) gives Hazelton proven playmakers to build around.

The scheme changes alone should make Wake Forest more competitive in 2025.

Realistic expectations? Think long-term investment, not immediate dividends.

Let’s be honest: Wake Forest isn’t going to transform into a 10-win team overnight magically.

Early ACC power rankings have the Demon Deacons sitting at 16th heading into 2025, and statistical projections suggest a modest improvement to around 5-7. The mathematical probability of bowl eligibility stands at approximately 41%.

But the real story of 2025 won’t be found in the win-loss column.

It will be about establishing a foundation, implementing systems, and beginning the cultural transformation that Dickert envisions. His comprehensive approach – expanding the recruiting infrastructure, prioritizing player development, and implementing sustainable processes – reflects a coach building for long-term success rather than quick wins.

“There’s a certain type of player who belongs at Wake Forest,” Dickert noted, emphasizing his understanding that Wake’s unique position as a high-academic ACC institution requires a specific recruiting approach.

This isn’t a one-year fix. It’s year one of a complete program rebuild.

The verdict: Wake Forest finally has a clear direction

For a program that looked increasingly directionless in 2024, Dickert’s arrival represents something invaluable: a coherent vision for the future.

The coaching staff has proven success at various levels of college football, and the expanded infrastructure demonstrates institutional commitment. Dickert’s experience navigating extreme adversity at Washington State has prepared him for the challenge of elevating Wake Forest in the increasingly competitive ACC landscape.

Although the 2025 season may not produce a dramatic turnaround in the standings, it will give Wake Forest something it desperately needs: a foundation for sustainable success and a clear identity moving forward.

That alone makes it a season worth watching.

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