Jake Dickert steps into his role as Wake Forest’s head coach with ambition and a lot of expectation on his back. The 41-year-old, known for his gritty approach, is ready to reshape the Demon Deacons. In his first year, he’s introducing a fresh vision for building culture in the program built on seven key pillars to drive success in a shifting college football world.
Jake Dickert Is Building a New Culture in Wake Forest With the 7 Pillars of His Plan
Dickert’s journey to Wake Forest wasn’t usual. He spent years out west, coaching at Wyoming and Washington State. He climbed from defensive position coach to coordinator at Wyoming over three years. Then, he joined Washington State, where he served five years, becoming the head coach in 2022.
He posted a 21-18 record, navigating a chaotic conference realignment period. Despite his love for the Cougars, a call from Wake Forest changed everything. “It was like, ‘OK, I love Washington State, it’s a place I want to be,’ and [then] you get that phone call, right?” Dickert said in a recent interview with Adam Breneman.
Now, he’s aligning with athletic director John Currie’s goal of raising champions. Dickert sees untapped potential at Wake Forest. “Some people see obstacles, [but] I see opportunity,” he said. He’s betting on the program’s resources and willingness to chase big dreams. Culture, to him, is alive and evolving.
“Culture, as we talk about it, is an organism,” he explained. To kick things off in his new home, he listened to his players, holding long phone talks with players to grasp what worked and what didn’t under former coach Dave Clawson.
Clawson retired in December after 11 years, leaving a legacy of seven straight bowl games. Dickert stepped in smoothly, securing the momentum. The transfer portal reflects this as only 16 players left, while 23 committed, ranking Wake Forest 33rd nationally.
Dickert fosters trust by letting players shape the culture. He puts them in situations to reveal their true selves. Springball is his testing ground for building this foundation.
When games start, Dickert demands his team “be bulletproof.” It’s about staying calm under pressure. He won seven close games at Washington State with his sharp game management. Now, he’s bringing that aggressive, analytical mind to Wake Forest.
His staff is also growing. In March 2025, he added Mark Holcomb as Director of High School and Alumni Relations. Holcomb brings 30 years of coaching and a 166-78 record. Bobby Maffei joined as a Defensive Assistant, fresh from three years with the Carolina Panthers, where he helped craft a top-five NFL defense.
KEEP READING: Dave Clawson Steps Down as Wake Forest Head Coach, Takes on New Role to Guide Program’s Future
Dickert’s seven pillars, opportunity, listening, trust, truth, resilience, aggression, and preparation, are his blueprint. They’re not just words; they’re actions he’s weaving into Wake Forest’s fabric. With a straightforward process and a hungry team, he’s set to turn potential into wins.
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