Jake Dickert is NOT going anywhere, folks, and that is massive news coming out of Winston-Salem. After just his second season as Wake Forest’s head coach, Dickert has basically dragged the Demon Deacons to the doorstep of the College Football Playoff, and they are on a direct path to an ACC championship game appearance. You just don’t see that kind of instant impact often, especially at the smallest Power Four school. His success was turning heads, with everyone wondering if a bigger program was about to snatch him up. But Wake Forest shut that down fast, announcing Thursday that Dickert signed a long-term contract extension. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.
Wake Forest Doubles Down on a Proven Winner
FOX Sports’ Ben Portnoy reported earlier this week that talks were deep, and this “major extension” is not just about keeping Dickert, it is about giving him the tools to really build something special. We are talking significantly bolstered NIL resources and a bigger staffing pool. That is a serious commitment. Wake Forest clearly saw something special when they hired Dickert after his four seasons at Washington State. Remember how he navigated the Pac-12 unraveling? He kept the Cougars winning through all that chaos, even beating rival Washington in the Apple Cup. That showed everyone he is a coach who can succeed when the chips are down, which is exactly what Wake Forest needed. They committed to investing in their football program, including facilities, when they brought him in, and now they are absolutely doubling down on their head coach. This is the kind of move that changes a program’s trajectory.
On the Brink of Something Special
What has Dickert done to earn this kind of faith? He led Wake Forest to an impressive 9-4 record last season in 2025, topping it off with a win over Mississippi State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. This season, though? It is on another level. The Demon Deacons are off to an 8-1 start, with their only loss coming against a previously No. 1 ranked Miami team. They are currently sitting at No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and also checking in at No. 11 in both the AP and Coaches polls. That is serious national attention.
With games against SMU, Georgia Tech, and Duke still on the schedule, Wake Forest is right there in the hunt. Every game from here on out is absolutely huge, with the chance to make some real noise in the CFP and secure that ACC championship spot. You gotta love seeing a program invest in a coach who is clearly building a winner.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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