“Let’s Go Deacon Nation – Let’s Get This Done!”

By Bob Sutton

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Steve Forbes seemed on the go from the moment he became Wake Forest's 23rd men's basketball coach.

This came during a time when you couldn't go anywhere.

Yet Forbes' energy level enabled him to break through the virtual landscape, making positive first impressions the best he could under most unusual circumstances.

"He has always had the ability to connect with people," Director of Athletics John Currie said. "He's just one of those people who treats people the right way."

In the early going on the job, Forbes put on a full-court press, including a video announcing his hiring when he declared, "Let's Go Deacon Nation … Let's Get This Done." And there are no indications he'll be slowing down.

If anything held back the new coach – referred to as "Forbes-y" by Currie, who worked with him in Tennessee's athletic department more than a decade ago – in the first few weeks, it was the inability to meet and greet Wake Forest fans in person.

With what's described universally as an endearing personality, he wants that type of contact as soon as it's permitted as restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic ease.

"I haven't been able to get out in the community and meet people like I like to," Forbes said. "But I want people to know that I'm thrilled to be here. I'm so excited."

That has been evident in countless ways, and early feedback suggests that Demon Deacon supporters are proud to have him on board. Forbes arrived following a five-season stint at East Tennessee State where he compiled an impressive 130-43 record.

His quest is for Wake Forest fans to see that he's already immersed in learning about the unique culture and community around Wake Forest.

"I want them to see the passion I have for my job," Forbes said.

His social media presence was an immediate hit as Wake Forest promoted the selection of him as its new coach. There were "shoutouts" from various outposts endorsing his hiring – often based on Forbes' disposition – such as a "one of my favorite guys" from an admirer from Forbes' days as an assistant coach at Wichita State where he helped that program to an incredible 65 victories and back-to-back NCAA appearances in two seasons.

There's a style he wants on display on the court, where he expects players to compete like "their hair is on fire even though the coach doesn't have any hair."

In order to sustain the good vibes, though, something else is needed. And the new coach is anxious to fill that void.

"We're here to win now, to get this program right back where it needs to be," Forbes said. "This program needs to win in basketball, deserves to win in basketball and will win in basketball."

Forbes had no blueprint to follow in that regard, so he will rely on his experiences with other successful programs to form his plan of attack.

His mantra is to "Play hard, smart and together."

He wants his teams to do so in front of raucous atmospheres at Joel Coliseum as well. Attendance ballooned at East Tennessee State under Forbes' watch, something he was engaged in helping cultivate. He says he wants to hear from Demon Deacon fans so he can aid in boosting the game-day experience.

Forbes and Wake Forest hold several parallels, too, going back to his youth. Foremost, he can relate to the small-school charm. Hailing from Lone Tree, Iowa, where he was part of a 32-member graduating class, he dreamed big about his future as he went from K-12 all in the same school building.

As most Deacon supporters are aware, Forbes is coming off a strong run in the Southern Conference, a league that has excelled the past couple of years while clamoring for more than one entry to the NCAA Tournament. For his now-former team, there were two NCAA Tournament bids across the last four years (though didn't get to participate this year when the national tournament was canceled).

A Forbes-coached team has certain characteristics, league foe and Virginia Military Institute coach Dan Earl said.

"You know what they're all about," Earl said. "They play extremely hard. They defend. They make it difficult for you. They rebound the heck out of the ball and make it a physical game."

His time in the Southern Conference even creates somewhat of a segue for Forbes into his new job. Wake Forest also won a championship in its final season in the Southern Conference in 1953 before becoming a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

It wasn't until the seventh season of ACC play when the Demon Deacons secured a regular-season conference championship. That's something that Forbes aims to do in a much quicker manner.

"I think Steve is going to win pretty quickly," Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall said. "In short order, I think Steve will have them back winning a lot of games. It won't take him very long to get it going."

While there are overflowing endorsements regarding Forbes' likability, he didn't arrive as a rah-rah guy without credentials. At 55 years old, he has experience on his side.

When the Demon Deacons begin the season, Forbes will be the second-oldest coach to make a debut in program history. Only Jeff Bzdelik at age 57 was older for his first game.

Forbes can talk about second-weekend NCAA Tournament experiences as an assistant coach. As a staff member, he witnessed Marshall and Bruce Pearl directing teams as head coaches. Both men have taken teams to the Final Four.

Forbes is used to being in the top seat on the bench for important March games, too. East Tennessee State would have been in a postseason play for the fourth time in five years this year.

Forbes has been in tune with top-level players as well.

"He's an even better person when you get to know him," said Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who played at Wichita State when Forbes was on the staff there. "I'm so happy he's getting his shot."

Being inside the sparkling new Shah Basketball Complex has been energizing for Forbes – not to say the new coach needs much of a boost in that category. He has marveled about the facilities and what he sees as the university's commitment to the program.

In his first days on campus, stories of long hours at the on-campus basketball center were recounted.

"I know they're not sleeping very much," Currie said of the new staff.

That's fine with Forbes, who's intent on filtering his own tremendous enthusiasm throughout the program.

"We just have to have a spark and get it going," he said.

Forbes is ready and capable of providing that initial spark. Wake Forest is ready and willing as well.

Wake Forest Athletics

“Let’s Go Deacon Nation – Let’s Get This Done!”

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