If there was any confusion as to how new Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert wants to tackle his beginning in Winston-Salem, the message has been made clear to the team. “We’re going to start from start.”
That is what Dickert said he told his team after meeting with them Sunday. Dickert explained to the media on Monday that his intent is a focus on, “The basics and a start from the ground up.” He added that he understands that there is always excitement with a new staff and new players. The key, he said, is to maintain that level of excitement over an extended period of time.
Dickert Putting a Roster Together
There is a mix of big news over Dickert’s first month on the job. Which portion of the news is the biggest is subject to interpretation. The Demon Deacons were hit early and often in the transfer portal in the days leading up to the resignation of Dave Clawson, and the immediate few days after the coaching transition. They lost 15 players in all, (we’re still not counting Mitch Griffis). But they have not had any players leave the program in the last two weeks. And the deadline specific to Wake Forest players to enter the portal is January 16th.
The bigger news on that front is the one who did not leave. Starting running back Demond Claiborne has made it clear that he will return to Wake for the 2025 season. Dickert met with Claiborne the same day as his introductory press conference as the new head coach. Dickert said he did not have to do a sales job on Claiborne to get him to stay. “I didn’t sell him on anything. I got a chance to know him,” Dickert told the media. “Who are you? Where are you from? What drives you? What motivates you? How can I help you? That’s not a sales pitch. That’s getting to know a person so you can help the player.”…