Wake Forest University Football

Jake Dickert was named the 33rd head coach of the Wake Forest football program on Dec. 18, 2024. A college football coach for 18 seasons, Dickert has climbed...

Adam Pilapil was added as the Demon Deacons Assistant Coach, Linebackers prior to the 2025 season. In his first year, Wake Forest ranked among the ACC’s elite defensive units, finishing in the conference’s top five in both total defense and pass defense. The Demon Deacons allowed the fewest yards per play in the ACC, permitted the fourth-fewest touchdowns overall and held opponents to more than 100 fewer yards of total offense than the year prior. That consistency was highlighted by holding seven of 13 opponents to 14 points or fewer, the most such performances by a Wake Forest defense since the historic 2006 ACC Championship season. Coach Pilapil worked with Coach Dickert at Wyoming in 2019 and he previously played and worked with Pete Kaligis, Ben Iannacchinone, Scottie Hazelton and he was on the same staff at Colorado State recently with Freddie Banks. Pilapil, who is considered a rising star in the industry, was selected to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in December of 2024. He was chosen from a field of over 200 high-quality applicants and was one of three named to the field from the Mountain West and the first Colorado State coach to be a part of the 35 Under 35 program. Over three seasons with Colorado State, Pilapil and the Rams improved their record each season including an 8-4 record in 2024 and an appearance in the Arizona Bowl. In 2024, Colorado State ranked 23rd nationally and led the Mountain West with n

FootballSkip AdSienko, AdrianBanks, FreddieBeckett, JakeBeschorner, WesleyDickert, JakeEnos, DanEzell, RobGreer, NasirHazelton, ScottieHollingsworth, JeremyHollowell, T.J.Iannacchione, BenJackson, ChevisKaligis, PeterKaster, JaredKramer, JustinKylany, DevinMaffei, BobbyMaynor, ConnellMuse, Tarik Pilapil, AdamProuse-Lackey, IzaiahPurling, RhettReed, EffremRoberts, DyrellSchlaeger, RobTerrebonne, DavidThornton, KyleWebb, CarterWhite , TristanWhitworth, Nick

Wake Forest Football welcomed Bobby Maffei to Coach Jake Dickert’s staff as a Defensive Assistant in March 2025, bringing extensive experience at both the NF...

Brent Vernon joins Coach Jake Dickert’s staff at Wake Forest as the Chief of Staff and was officially named on Jan. 21, 2025. Vernon served in the same role for Coach Dickert at Washington State for four years (2021-24). Additionally, Coach Dickert and Vernon spent three seasons together (2017-19) when both worked on Craig Bohl’s staff at Wyoming. Vernon’s role at Wake Forest is similar to the post he held in Pullman as he leads as the administrative operations of the football team, including oversight of team budget, serving as liaison with athletics administration as well as academic and other staff. Vernon arrived at Washington State after spending the previous 13 seasons at Wyoming. Vernon was promoted to Associate A.D. for Football Operations in the summer of 2018 after being named the Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations in the spring of 2017. He previously served in the roles of Executive Assistant to the Head Coach and Assistant Director of Football Operations in 2012. In 2011, Vernon served as Wyoming’s Director of Recruiting, being promoted from his previous position as the Cowboys’ offensive graduate assistant in 2009 and 2010. Prior to Wyoming, Vernon was at the University of Missouri where he was a student assistant with the Mizzou Football program for five seasons from August 2004 to December 2008. At Missouri, he assisted the tight ends’ coach, broke down practice and game film and prepared scouting reports. During that five-year span, Missouri

A lifelong Demon Deacon, Briana Brewer joined the Wake Forest football staff in July 2024 following a successful tenure working with the program in Athletics...

Carter Webb joined Head Coach Jake Dickert’s staff as an Assistant Offensive Line Coach ahead of the 2025 season. The role serves as Webb’s first full-time coaching job, having previously worked as a graduate assistant at Washington State and a graduate assistant and student assistant at Western Kentucky. During his first year at Wake Forest, the offensive line made one of the nation’s biggest year-over-year improvements, allowing just 17 sacks after surrendering 42 the previous season, a jump from 125th nationally to a top-20 ranking in the FBS. Webb and Dickert previously served together at Washington State during the 2024 season, where the Cougars earned their most wins since 2018 while making their eight bowl appearance in the last nine years. Webb spent three years on the staff at Western Kentucky, helping lead one of the most dynamic offenses in the country during that time period. The Hilltoppers won 31 games across the four years that Webb spent on staff, including three-straight seasons with eight or more wins from 2021-2023. Wake Forest (2025-Present): Wake Forest enjoyed a nine-win campaign capped by a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory. Highlighted by one of the program’s most productive offensive seasons in recent years, the Demon Deacons scored 30 or more points six times and averaged over 28 points per game, both marks representing the program’s highest outputs since the 2022 season. Wake Forest also generated 27 plays of 30 yards or more, its most explosive-play total s

Prior to the 2025 season, Wake Forest head football coach Jake Dickert announced Thursday that Chevis Jackson has been added to his coaching staff as the Dem...

Cole Nowak returned to Wake Forest football in 2025 as lead scout - defense. He joined Coach Jake Dickert's staff following one year (2024) as a football rec...

FootballSkip AdMaynor, ConnellBanks, FreddieBeckett, JakeBeschorner, WesleyDickert, JakeEnos, DanEzell, RobGreer, NasirHazelton, ScottieHollingsworth, JeremyHollowell, T.J.Iannacchione, BenJackson, ChevisKaligis, PeterKaster, JaredKramer, JustinKylany, DevinMaffei, BobbyMaynor, ConnellMuse, Tarik Pilapil, AdamProuse-Lackey, IzaiahPurling, RhettReed, EffremRoberts, DyrellSchlaeger, RobTerrebonne, DavidThornton, KyleWebb, CarterWhite , TristanWhitworth, Nick

Wake Forest head football coach Jake Dickert announced that Dan Enos has been added to his coaching staff as the Demon Deacons Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks ...

FootballSkip AdKylany, DevinBanks, FreddieBeckett, JakeBeschorner, WesleyDickert, JakeEnos, DanEzell, RobGreer, NasirHazelton, ScottieHollingsworth, JeremyHollowell, T.J.Iannacchione, BenJackson, ChevisKaligis, PeterKaster, JaredKramer, JustinKylany, DevinMaffei, BobbyMaynor, ConnellMuse, Tarik Pilapil, AdamProuse-Lackey, IzaiahPurling, RhettReed, EffremRoberts, DyrellSchlaeger, RobTerrebonne, DavidThornton, KyleWebb, CarterWhite , TristanWhitworth, Nick

Wake Forest head football coach Jake Dickert announced Monday that Dyrell Roberts was added to the coaching staff as The Balogh Family Football Assistant Coa...

After leading one of the most prolific offenses in the country with Wake Forest Offensive Coordinator Rob Ezell, Head Coach Jake Dickert announced the additi...

After helping guide Wake Forest to a resurgent 2025 season, Freddie Banks was promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator / Safeties ahead of the 2026 season. The Wake Forest defense made significant strides throughout the season, producing four interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries while showing marked improvement across every major statistical category. The Demon Deacons allowed nearly 10.5 fewer points per game compared to the previous season, surrendered more than 100 fewer yards of total offense per contest than in 2024 and nearly cut the number of passing touchdowns allowed in half. Banks came to Winston-Salem with a vast amount of experience including being a defensive coordinator for seven years in his coaching career. Prior to Wake Forest, Banks served as the defensive coordinator for Colorado State with the Rams improving their record each season including an 8-4 record in 2024 and an appearance in the Arizona Bowl. In 2024, Colorado State ranked 23rd nationally and led the Mountain West with nine fumble recoveries while the 19 turnovers gained ranked fourth in the conference. Overall in his three seasons, Colorado State ranked fourth in the conference in turnovers forced per game, totaling 53 in just 36 games played. Banks arrived in Fort Collins fresh off leading the No. 6 scoring defense in the FCS to the national championship game while in the same role at Montana State. It was the Bobcats' first appearance in the FCS national championship game since 1984. Under his t

Izaiah Prouse-Lackey, who graduated from Florida State in 2018 with a Bachelor of Education, was a walk-on for the football team who lettered and earned a sc...

Jane Caldwell began working in Wake Forest Athletics in July of 1999. She currently serves as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services...

Jared Kaster was added to tje coaching staff on Jan. 3, 2025 as an Assistant Coach, Offensive Line. In 2024, Washington State jumped out to a historic start, winning eight of its first nine games of the season and climbing inside of the top 20 in the AP Poll. It marked the first time since 2018 that the Cougars started a season 8-1 or better and the lone loss during that stretch came to College Football Playoff qualifier Boise State on the road. Kaster and Washington State claimed multiple non-conference wins over Power-4 conference teams, defeating Texas Tech and Washington in consecutive weeks. The Cougars entered bowl season with the No. 11 scoring offense in the country in 2024 with 36.8 points per game. Kaster spent the 2023 season at Austin Peay, serving as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Following the 2023 campaign, Kaster briefly served as the offensive line coach at UTEP, before joining Coach Dickert’s staff. During the 2023 season, Kaster helped the Governors to their second-straight conference title, and first in the United Athletic Conference. He helped guide an offense averaged 34.1 points per game, ninth in the FCS and first in the UAC, while its 427 yards per game of total offense ranked second in the conference. Austin Peay's passing efficiency (162.2) ranked third in the country and first in the conference. During his one season at Austin Peay, the Governors produced six all-conference players on offense, including three offensive linemen:

FootballSkip AdHollingsworth, JeremyBanks, FreddieBeckett, JakeBeschorner, WesleyDickert, JakeEnos, DanEzell, RobGreer, NasirHazelton, ScottieHollingsworth, JeremyHollowell, T.J.Iannacchione, BenJackson, ChevisKaligis, PeterKaster, JaredKramer, JustinKylany, DevinMaffei, BobbyMaynor, ConnellMuse, Tarik Pilapil, AdamProuse-Lackey, IzaiahPurling, RhettReed, EffremRoberts, DyrellSchlaeger, RobTerrebonne, DavidThornton, KyleWebb, CarterWhite , TristanWhitworth, Nick

Justin Kramer was officially named to the Wake Forest football staff on Jan. 21, 2025 as Assistant Head Coach for Jake Dickert after three seasons at Washing...

Katie Bason enters her third year on the football staff at Wake Forest University in 2025. Her role on Coach Jake Dickert’s staff is as the Demon Deacons Dir...

Kyle Thornton joined Coach Jake Dickert’s staff in March 2024 as a Defensive Quality Control staff member. He played for Coach Dickert at Washington State as he was a team captain and middle linebacker. Over his six-year playing career (2019-24), he rose from a walk-on to a respected leader, setting the standard for performance, discipline, and accountability. Off the field, Thornton excelled academically, earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics (Magna Cum Laude) in 2022 and is on track to complete his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in May 2025, maintaining a 3.88 GPA. His commitment to excellence was recognized with numerous accolades, including Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2024), the Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp Trophy (2024), and Cougar Student-Athlete of the Year (2024).

Maggie Mullen joined the Wake Forest football staff as the Director, On-Campus Recruiting on Coach Jake Dickert’s staff in August 2025. A former college stud...

Mark Holcomb was hired on Coach Jake Dickert’s staff in March 2025 as the Director of High School and Alumni Relations for Wake Forest Football, bringing ove...

Mitch Lisowski joined the Wake Forest Athletic Creative staff in August of 2022 after spending the previous year working at UT-Arlington. After joining as a ...

Nasir Greer, a 2021 Wake Forest graduate with a degree in Communication and Media Studies, returns to Winston-Salem in a Defensive Quality Control role after having an accomplished college and professional career. Greer was an All-ACC selection during his time as a Demon Deacon while also serving multiple years on the leadership committee within the team. After helping lead the Deacs to one of their best seasons in program history in 2021 that included an ACC Atlantic and Gator Bowl Championship, Greer signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. Greer also went on to play in the XFL during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, winning an XFL Championship with Arlington Renegades in 2023. Greer has also been an assistant coach at Landmark Christian School, coaching on both sides of the ball, with wide receivers, tight ends and defensive backs since 2022. He has also been a leader in his community, serving as a Minister Leader and Youth Minister Leader within multiple churches since 2022 while also volunteering in and around the Atlanta area, supporting youth, homeless and underserved communities.

Having spent the last three seasons with Head Coach Jake Dickert at Washington State, Nick Whitworth made the move to Winston-Salem in 2025, serving as Special Teams Coordinator. Wake Forest’s special teams unit ranked among the nation’s best, finishing fourth in the country with four blocked kicks and standing as one of only six programs nationally to record two kickoff return touchdowns. The Demon Deacons also finished fourth in the nation with a 27.68-yard kickoff return average, showcasing explosive playmaking and consistent field-position advantages throughout the season. His special teams group ranked in the top 50 nationally in multiple categories during the 2024 season. Under Whitworth’s guidance, kicker Dean Janikowski was named and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Finalist, an award given annual for community service. Janikowski has connected on eight of 11 field goal attempts including a season-long 52 to send the game into overtime in the win over San Jose State. With Whitworth’s help, Janikowski has tallied 28 touchbacks on 55 kickoffs and averaged 42.7 yards-per-punt on 26 punts. In 2023, Cougar special teams shined, finishing second in the Pac-12 and 18th nationally in net punting at 41.7 ypp. The kickoff return unit also finished second in the Pac-12 at 22.0 ypr, which ranked 32nd nationally. That included a 98-yard kickoff return by Leyton Smithson against Colorado, the first by a Cougar since the 2018 season. Junior punter Nick Haberer was fourth in the Pac-12 and 2

Having worked as the Video Coordinator at Washington State since Feb. 2020, Olivia Vea joined Coach Jake Dickert and the Demon Deacons football staff in Wins...

With over 30 years of coaching experience, Kaligis joined Head Coach Jake Dickert’s staff before the 2025 season, leading the defensive tackles group for the Demon Deacons. In 2025, Wake Forest ranked among the ACC’s elite defensive units, finishing in the conference’s top five in both total defense and pass defense. The Demon Deacons allowed the fewest yards per play in the ACC, permitted the fourth-fewest touchdowns overall and held opponents to more than 100 fewer yards of total offense than the year prior. That consistency was highlighted by holding seven of 13 opponents to 14 points or fewer, the most such performances by a Wake Forest defense since the historic 2006 ACC Championship season. Kaligis spent three years on Head Coach Jake Dickert’s staff at Washington State after being named the assistant head coach/defensive tackles coach on Jan. 3, 2022. Kaligis and Dickert previous worked together from 2017-19 while both were on Craig Bohl’s defensive staff at Wyoming. In 2023, the Cougar interior defense made strides after beginning the year with the top six tackles combining for just 10 games played in a Cougar uniform. Despite that, the unit totaled 102 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and three sacks. Against No. 19 Wisconsin, the Cougar defensive tackles led a defensive that held the Badgers to just 90 rushing yards, it’s second-lowest output of the season and 59.5 yards below its season average. In his first season coaching the defensive tackles, the unit combined f

Rhett Purling joined Coach Jake Dickert’s staff in Feb. 2025 as an assistant for Wake Forest’s special teams. He joined the Winston-Salem community after ser...

Rob Ezell was named Wake Forest’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach prior to the 2025 season and helped lead the Demon Deacons to a breakout campaign that culminated in a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory. Highlighted by one of the program’s most productive offensive seasons in recent years, the Demon Deacons scored 30 or more points six times and averaged over 28 points per game, both marks representing the program’s highest outputs since the 2022 season. Wake Forest also generated 27 plays of 30 yards or more, its most explosive-play total since 2022, while showcasing offensive balance and depth across multiple position groups. Ezell previously served as South Alabama’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, a role he was elevated to in February 2024 after spending three seasons with the Jaguars as the tight ends coach. South Alabama was among the top offensive teams in the Sun Belt Conference in 2024, averaging 34.4 points and 441.8 yards per game. Ezell’s offense put up nearly 6,000 yards over the course of the season, culminating in a 537-yard performance in the Jaguars bowl victory over Western Michigan. Six different offensive players for South Alabama were named All-SBC for their performances during the 2024 season. Ezell helped guide the program to its most successful season at the FBS level, going 10-3 during the 2023 season. He helped coach Lincoln Sefcik to Third Team All-Sun Belt honors in his first year with the program as Sefcik posted 32 receptions fo

Following the completion of the 2025 season, Scottie Hazelton wrapped up his first year with Wake Forest football as the Demon Deacons’ defensive coordinator...

T.J. Hollowell was added to coaching staff as the Demon Deacons Assistant Coach, Defensive Ends prior to the 2025 season. Hollowell brings in NFL playing experience and over 17 years of coaching experience at all levels. The Wake Forest defense made significant strides throughout the season, producing four interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries while showing marked improvement across every major statistical category. The Demon Deacons allowed nearly 10.5 fewer points per game compared to the previous season, surrendered more than 100 fewer yards of total offense per contest than in 2024 and nearly cut the number of passing touchdowns allowed in half. Wake Forest also reduced red-zone touchdowns by nearly 20 percent, reflecting a defense that consistently tightened in critical situations. Hollowell came to Winston-Salem from Nebraska, where he was the recruiting coordinator for the 2024 season. According to Rivals, the Cornhuskers brought in the No. 17-ranked class in 2024. Hollowell spent 2020-2023 with new Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton at Michigan State, where the duo helped the Spartans cap the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year's Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP) in 2021. Prior to Michigan State, Hollowell was at Coastal Carolina working with the defensive ends and outside linebackers. Defensive end Tarron Jackson led the Sun Belt an

Ty Gatson joined the Demon Deacons football staff as the Director of Recruiting ahead of the 2025 season. He came to Winston-Salem following a one-year stint...

FootballSkip AdVu, VienBanks, FreddieBeckett, JakeBeschorner, WesleyDickert, JakeEnos, DanEzell, RobGreer, NasirHazelton, ScottieHollingsworth, JeremyHollowell, T.J.Iannacchione, BenJackson, ChevisKaligis, PeterKaster, JaredKramer, JustinKylany, DevinMaffei, BobbyMaynor, ConnellMuse, Tarik Pilapil, AdamProuse-Lackey, IzaiahPurling, RhettReed, EffremRoberts, DyrellSchlaeger, RobTerrebonne, DavidThornton, KyleWebb, CarterWhite , TristanWhitworth, Nick

Wake Forest University welcomed Wesley Beschorner to Coach Jake Dickert’s staff as an Offensive Assistant / TE staffer in March 2025, bringing an extensive background in offensive coaching and player development at both the collegiate and professional levels. Beschorner joined the Demon Deacons after serving as the Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach at Northern Illinois (2023-2024), where he led one of the most explosive offenses in the Mid-American Conference. Under his guidance, NIU’s offense ranked top two in the MAC in both points per game (30.0) and total yards per game (405.3) while securing two marquee victories over Notre Dame and Boston College. He also helped lead NIU to consecutive bowl victories, marking the program’s first since 2017-18. Prior to his tenure at NIU, Beschorner served as the Head Coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire (2019-2023), where he implemented offensive and defensive strategies while overseeing all aspects of program development. His coaching career also includes stops at Maryland (Quarterbacks Coach), Rice (Quarterbacks Coach), and Pittsburgh (Offensive Quality Control Coach), where he played a key role in recruiting and developing NFL-caliber talent, including Kenny Pickett, Nathan Peterman, and Anthony McFarland. Beschorner built a strong reputation as an offensive mind during his time at South Dakota (2007-2016), where he progressed from Quarterbacks Coach to Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach. His offenses consistently ra