Shockingly, Dave Clawson stepped down as the Wake Forest University head football coach after nearly a decade leading the program. Clawson stepped down effective immediately, bringing a glorious end to a tenure that saw him bring multiple success banners to the Demon Deacons program in the form of competitive stature. The 56-year-old coach cited personal reasons for his decision to leave, which leaves a void in the program that has enjoyed its most successful period in recent history under his leadership.
Clawson took over the helm at Wake Forest in 2014, transforming the program from one of the ACC’s more underperforming teams into a consistent contender. During his tenure, the Deacons appeared in many bowl games, with a remarkable yearly improving win-loss record. In his tenure, the team recorded a historic highlight at Wake Forest when appearing at the 2021 ACC Championship Game and had one of the best seasons in their memory as they ended the campaign 10-3 in 2022.
At Wake Forest, Clawson used a fast-paced attack and made a reputation for fostering talent that can compete at the same level as many of the more resource-intensive programs within the ACC. In addition to these reasons, players, his staff, and his peers have found it hard not to respect him in terms of leadership, the development of his players, and overall strategic savvy. Many credit him for not only growing them in terms of field presence but also getting them prepared for a great future.
Despite the recent successes, Clawson’s resignation has shocked fans and university officials, as the program seemed to be on the upswing. His departure is coming at a very crucial moment for the team as it heads into the offseason and early parts of recruiting for next season. The athletic department at the university announced that it would begin searching right away for Clawson’s successor, with the goal of providing continuity and momentum in the program.
With the search for a new head coach now underway, speculations about who might be on the list have already begun. Clawson’s resignation is bringing up questions about the direction of the program and what the next coach will do to further build on what his predecessor laid out.
For now, the Wake Forest fans will just have to wait for the next chapter in the team’s history, as the university seeks to replace one of the most successful football coaches in its history.