WS Chronicle

Will Pantages

GODEACS.COM

Following an aggressive, but inclusive and intensive search process, Wake Forest Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie has named Jake Dickert as the 33rd head coach of the Demon Deacons football program.

“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,” President Susan R. Wente said. “Coach Dickert’s experiences and his coaching and leadership philosophies make him an excellent fit for Wake Forest at this important moment in our football program’s history. I look forward to welcoming Jake, his wife Candice, and their children Rylee, Jett and Jace to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities.”

“I cannot tell you how excited, proud, and honored I am to be the head football coach at Wake Forest University,” Coach Jake Dickert said. “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. 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. My number one priority will be building relationships with our current student-athletes and earning their trust. We will have a clear focus on retaining our current roster while adding valuable pieces that fit our program and Wake Forest University. 

“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.

“Before I go further, 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 that meant so much to my family and me. The relationships built there will remain a cherished part of our journey, and I am immensely proud of what we accomplished together, both on and off the field.

“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. 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. Finally, Candice, Rylee, Jett, Jace, and I are thrilled to join this passionate community. Go Deacs!”

“Jake Dickert is the perfect fit to lead Wake Forest football into our next chapter of football success,” Currie said. “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. Coach Dickert’s approach to building a program – through evaluation and development of talent with a plan rooted in detail, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to student-athlete development – reminds me of what made Dave Clawson so successful during his 11-year transformational tenure as our head football coach. Jake’s philosophy of fostering personal growth, cultivating trust within the team, and relentlessly competing for championships embodies the principles we hold dear. 

“We know that this is a time of uncertainty for our student-athletes. Thanks to Coach Clawson’s trust in me, seamless collaboration from our board leadership and President Wente, and the diligence and hard work of Deputy AD Scott Garrett and others pitching in throughout Athletics and multiple academic and University units, we were able to move quickly to secure an outstanding new head coach for our program.  We are also grateful to Chad Chatlos from TurnkeyZRG for his trusted counsel throughout.

“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. 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. Coach Dickert, his wife Candice, and their three children are a perfect fit for the Wake Forest community. I know Deacon Nation will embrace them wholeheartedly, and I am confident he will build on the remarkable foundation that has been built before him. Together, we look forward to achieving new heights for our program on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.”

Dickert, who has been a college football coach for 17 seasons, has risen up the ranks, holding experience at nearly every level of the game. He has proven to be a consistent developer of NFL caliber talent throughout his career while also a winner at each of his coaching stops.

In four seasons as the head coach at Washington State, Dickert has had a winning record and gone to a bowl three times, while having the Cougars ranked inside of the top-20 each of the last two seasons, climbing as high as No. 13 in 2023. Over the last three seasons, Dickert has led the Cougars to a pair of wins in the Apple Cup vs. arch-rival Washington, a pair of ranked wins over No, 19-ranked Wisconsin in 2022 and 2023, and a victory against No. 14 Oregon State in 2023. Additionally, his program tallied an impressive 14-6 record in non-conference play.

Additionally, over 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 the 2005 NFL Draft.

Since arriving at the FBS level in 2017, Dickert’s defenses have totaled 166 turnovers. That total would tie the 10th most by any school in the country during that seven-year stretch and the only ACC school to have more would be Clemson.

In the classroom, Washington State had 45 players earn Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll honors (3.3 GPA or higher) in his first three seasons as head coach. 
Additionally, during Dickert’s time in Pullman, he has had multiple AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists for their work around the university and in the community, as well as semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance.