A press conference on Dec. 17th, 2024, marked the end of an era.
After former Wake Forest Head Football Coach Dave Clawson resigned the day before, the program celebrated its most successful coach in decades through a celebratory press conference.
“My overwhelming emotion right now is gratitude,” Clawson said at the press conference. “I’m incredibly lucky that I could spend 11 years in this crazy world of college football in one place, and at a place you believe in.”
“Dave Clawson has been the epitome of integrity, innovation, and excellence in college football,” Wake Forest Director of Athletics John Currie said in a press statement. “Quite simply, Clawson’s leadership, competitive drive and strategic instincts have made football at Wake Forest important.”
Clawson reflected before making the decision, whilst factoring in what is best for the program he’s developed for over a decade.
“The last 10 days of my life have been dedicated towards a decision that will be in the best interest of Wake Forest football,” Clawson said at the press conference.
Clawson leaves behind a legacy of having achieved seven consecutive bowl appearances, with the most postseason victories in program history (five). Clawson also won the ACC Coach of the Year award in 2021 after leading the Demon Deacons to an 11-3 season and a Gator Bowl win.
In the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and conference realignment, Clawson mentioned that the new landscape of collectives, tampering and transfers has impacted not only his program but the retention of the program’s student-athletes.
“We’ve had four or five players leave Wake Forest in the past two years that were one semester away from graduating because another school gave them more money,” Clawson said. “That breaks my heart. This school is incredible. The education you get here is second to none. I truly believe that [Wake Forest] is transformative.”
Clawson also spoke highly of the student-athletes and Wake Forest Football alumni who have gone through his program, despite the high standards inside the classroom.
“This is a small school, bad character kids stick out like sore thumbs,” Clawson said. “I’m very proud, in my 11 years here, to never have had one player ever fail out of Wake Forest.”
Clawson also spoke of the relationships that he’s created with former players and alumni, including ones from more than 25 years of head coaching at four different schools.
“To the players at Fordham, at Richmond, at Bowling Green and at Wake Forest, thank you,” Clawson said. “Thanks for choosing the play for me. Thanks for the impact that you’ve had on my life and my family’s life.”
“To me, the most meaningful things are the relationships you create,” Clawson added. “Winning is ephemeral- it’s a brief moment, a shot of adrenaline, and then those moments wear away, and it’s the relationships that last.”
Despite his resignation, Clawson played a major part in providing for the program’s future having contacted candidates on behalf of Wake Forest during their coaching search.
“[Currie] has already had me engage with some of the candidates, and I’ve told all the candidates that I’m leaving this place on good terms,” Clawson said. “I want to see Wake Forest football be successful. I think I can help with the transition… I’ve told everyone of them I will be as involved or uninvolved as you want me to be.”
Clawson connected with new Wake Forest Head Coach Jake Dickert, who referred to Clawson’s support during the transition process from coach to coach.
“I want to show my appreciation for Coach Clawson, He’s shown me a tremendous amount of support throughout this process,” Dickert said. “It’s easy to see the passion that he had for Wake Forest. He represents the best of Wake Forest, and you can really see that exemplified through his leadership. I’m truly honored to follow in his footsteps.”
While some of Clawson’s assistant coaches have found new homes, such as former safeties coach James Adams, who was announced in the same role for the Michigan State Spartans. Others, however, have not transitioned into new roles yet.
“The hardest part of this decision is the impact it’s going to have on their lives, and for that reason, I wanted to try to keep going,” Clawson said. “The biggest hold up for me is that I know the impact it’s going to have on a bunch of people that I care about.”
While Clawson has resigned from the head coach position, he will continue to serve Wake Forest, serving as Clawson will continue with Wake Forest University as Special Advisor to John Currie.
“I want this to be high impact, low volume, and I really hope I can find something outside of coaching that I find fulfilling,” Clawson said.
Adam N. • Dec 17, 2024 at 3:04 am
The epitome of Wake Forest and Pro Humanitate. We were lucky to have him as long as we did. Beyond leading our football program out of the doldrums of mediocrity, he revolutionized our recruiting, facilities, and post season as well as professional player success. Now that the NCAA has ruined college athletics with NIL, turning every player into free agents and tossing aside the value of a college scholarship and more importantly, education, I can’t blame the guy for stepping down on his own terms. Having witnessed what UNC just did to his friend Mac Brown, he saw the writing on the wall and Clawson would naturally rather control his own narrative. It’s a testament to him and Wake that he’s decided to stay on as an advisor and fund raiser. In the last two years alone, we have lost significant players to Notre Dame, Michigan State, Alabama, and Indiana, indicative of players following the money and schools recruiting the players Clawson and Wake have developed. I don’t blame him for being frustrated in an era of college sports that’s more about ME than we. Clawson and our AD will be sure to find a new coach of the right caliber and class, but he will be sorely missed as a steady hand amongst the mess that is today’s college football. Go Deacs!