Jake Dickert isn’t going anywhere.
Wake Forest has agreed to a new contract with its head coach, locking him in long term and giving the program a bigger financial commitment to both staff and roster support. The deal also shuts down the buzz that had Dickert tied to some of the biggest openings in the coaching market.
The move comes after a sharp run in Winston-Salem. Dickert is 17-5 at Wake Forest, including an 8-1 start this season.
The only loss has come against Miami. His first year on the job, a 9-4 debut, set the school record for wins by a first-year Wake Forest coach.
The Demon Deacons are also sitting at No. 13 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings.
“Wake Forest University is committed to football success at the highest level and Coach Dickert has done an extraordinary job of inspiring belief among our players, fans and the entire Demon Deacon community,” Wake Forest athletic director John Currie said in a statement. “I am grateful for his and Candice's commitment and trust and especially appreciate President Rodriguez and our Board leadership recognizing that now was the time to go ahead and eliminate any outside speculation so that our team and Deacon Nation can put all our energy into the stretch run of this special season.”
With Dickert secured, attention shifts to the people helping drive this season’s surge. Offensive coordinator Rob Ezell is in his first year calling plays at the Power Four level, and Wake Forest’s offense ranks No. 9 in the sport.
Quarterback Gio Lopez has been just as central to the rise, posting an 18-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and the No. 8 QBR nationally.
Wake Forest’s next test comes Saturday at SMU, where the stakes are straightforward: the winner will move into the driver’s seat as the new favorite to reach the ACC Championship Game against Miami.
Dickert’s new deal also resets part of the coaching market. He had been a frequent name in carousel chatter after his work at Wake Forest, and his rise had made him a target for Florida State as the Seminoles looked for help stabilizing their program. Dickert’s background added to the appeal - he was elevated to head coach at Washington State in 2021 and finished with an 8-4 record there, along with three bowl games in four years.
Now that he’s off the board, Florida State’s search turns elsewhere, including former coach Jimbo Fisher. Duke’s Manny Diaz and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham have also been mentioned as possibilities.
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Florida State Heads To Pitt With One Big Problem Still Lingering
Rick Stockstill will be on the sideline as Florida States interim coach when the Seminoles head to Pittsburgh, and the timing could hardly be more complicated. Both teams are dealing with major injury issues, but Florida States list is especially tricky on offense, where the Seminoles are expected to be without running back Tre Wisner and starting center Bradyn Welch-Joiner in a matchup that already looks tight on paper.
Pittsburgh brings its own problems, including the absence of starting quarterback Mason Heintschel and several defensive players, but the Panthers still present a difficult style of game for Florida State. Pitts run defense has been a strength, while its pass defense has shown more vulnerability, leaving the Seminoles to sort through a road test as slight underdogs with plenty still unsettled around them. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Travis Just Drew A Line In FSUs Norvell Debate
Jordan Travis stepped into the middle of a familiar Florida State conversation this week, backing former head coach Mike Norvell as criticism from some ex-players continued to linger around the program. The former Seminoles quarterback didnt just defend Norvells approach, he framed the issue around integrity and accountability, a reminder that the debate over the coachs legacy is still very much alive inside the Florida State orbit.
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Florida State Just Lost A Key Coaching Search Target
Florida States coaching search has already taken on a different shape since Mike Norvell was fired in-season and offensive analyst Rick Stockstill was handed the interim job. The Seminoles have been linked to a wide range of names as they look for a full-time answer, and the list has included Deion Sanders, Manny Diaz and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann as the process has moved forward.
One of the more familiar possibilities is now off the board. Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, who had been considered a top target for Florida State, is no longer in the mix after signing a long-term extension with Wake Forest, removing a candidate many around the search had viewed as a serious fit. With Dickert out, attention around the Seminoles is likely to keep shifting toward the remaining names, and Schumanns status has drawn particular speculation as the search continues. [Read more 🡒]