Wake Forest Extends Contract for Baseball Head Coach Tom Walter
6/29/2023 3:15:00 PM | Baseball
In 14 years as head coach, Tom Walter has won 420 games, coached 44 draft picks and has taken Wake Forest baseball to the NCAA Tournament multiple times, highlighted by its historic 2023 campaign to the Men’s College World Series.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest and 2023 ACC Baseball Coach of the Year Tom Walter have agreed to a long-term contract extension, Director of Athletics John Currie announced on Thursday.
"I would like to thank our Board of Trustees, President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. and AD John Currie for the confidence they have in our program and the belief they have in me personally," said Walter. "The number of people who have stepped forward to make this a reality is humbling.
"To work alongside Bill Cilento, Corey Muscara, Matt Wessinger and the rest of our staff is a privilege and an honor that I do not take for granted. Most importantly, we have the absolute best student-athletes in the world here at Wake Forest and they make my job the absolute best in the world."
The Deacs finished the 2023 season with program records in regular season wins (45), ACC wins (22), ACC series wins (10), postseason wins (9) and overall wins (54).
Additionally, this year's Demon Deacons squad became the 13th ACC team since 2010 to reach the 50-win mark and the 28th to do so since 2000. The 54 wins this season marks the first 50-win season by an ACC team since 2019, the most wins by an ACC team since 2013 and is the third highest win total since 2010.
"Tom Walter has built a sustainable winning culture for the storied Demon Deacons baseball program and strives each day to provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience for his players," director of athletics John Currie said. "The historic season we all just witnessed from our Diamond Deacs gave the college baseball world a look into the team-first culture Coach Walter has built over the last 14 seasons as our head baseball coach. With record ticket sales and attendance at the Couch this spring, along with the over six million viewers of our games at the Men's College World Series this summer, Coach Walter's program has brought significant Value to Wake Forest, Winston-Salem & Triad Communities. This long-term extension is an example of Wake Forest's commitment to supporting the success of our student-athletes in the classroom, community and on the field."
A proven program builder and player developer, Tom Walter just completed his 14th season as the head coach of Wake Forest baseball in 2023.
With 420 wins as the Demon Deacon skipper, he sits as the second-winningest coach in program history, trailing only George Greer.
"Coach Walter is a one of a kind human that cares about his players and program more than anyone you will meet," said two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year and unanimous All-American Rhett Lowder. "It makes me proud to be a Deac knowing that Coach Walter will continue to lead a great coaching staff and team."
"This is such an amazing opportunity for the best guy out there," said Wake Forest home run record holder and All-American Brock Wilken. "There is no one I would've wanted to spend the last three years of this amazing college journey playing behind. Coach welcomed each one of us with open arms, mind and heart. One of the greatest coaches I've ever been around and even better human, and that says a lot. He surrounded us with a great staff to develop, build a culture and have a shot at bringing a title back home for the Deacs. I can't thank him enough for everything he's done for me and us as a collective group. He's not done yet and there's still work to do! Love you coach! Brothers forever."
Wake Forest's 17-1 win against Pitt on Sunday, April 23 marked the 400th win of Walter's tenure at the helm of the Demon Deacon baseball program.
Walter was named the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Perfect Game National Coach of the Year and ABCA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
Walter became the third Demon Deacon skipper to receive conference coach of the year honors (George Greer and Marvin Crater) after leading the 2023 Wake Forest ballclub to a historic season.
The 2023 Wake Forest baseball team made the program's third ever Men's College World Series appearance this season, and its first since capturing the program's first national championship in 1955.
Wake Forest earned the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and went a perfect 3-0 in the Winston-Salem Regional, its first time hosting since 2017, with victories over Maryland and George Mason (twice) to host Winston-Salem's first ever super regional.
With its win over George Mason to clinch the regional title, the Deacs became the first team in program history and the nation to reach the 50-win mark.
Additionally, Wake Forest became the first team since North Carolina in 2017 to run the table and win all 10 ACC series in a season and clinched the program's first Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title since 1963
The Deacs continued their winning ways in Omaha, defeating No. 8 Stanford and No. 5 LSU.
In the opening game of the MCWS, Wake Forest came from behind to take a one-run lead in the eighth inning before Camden Minacci slammed the door in the ninth, recording a save.
In its first of three games against LSU, Bennett Lee delivered with a clutch RBI-single down the left field line to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth before Minacci once again slammed the door in the top of the ninth to clinch the victory.
The Demon Deacons strikeout numbers have been historic, ranking third in NCAA history in single-season strikeouts with a program-record 779 strikeouts.
Wake Forest also set new program highs in strikeouts-per-nine innings (12.1), fielding percentage (.979), shutouts (10), runs (591), home runs (130), RBIs (541) and walks (424).
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Deacs led the nation in virtually every pitching category (ERA, hits-per-nine innings, WHIP, strikeouts-per-nine innings, strikeout-to-walk ratio and strikeouts) and ranked in the top six in the ACC in every offensive category.
For the second year in a row, Wake Forest baseball righthander Rhett Lowder was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year. After becoming the first Demon Deacon ever to receive the award last season, Lowder is just the second pitcher in conference history to garner back-to-back Pitcher of the Year honors (Danny Hultzen, 2010-11).
Additionally, Wake Forest baseball placed a league high and tied a program best with nine selections to the 2023 All-Atlantic Coast Conference teams
Josh Hartle (first team), Rhett Lowder (first team), Sean Sullivan (first team), Nick Kurtz (first team), Justin Johnson (first team), Tommy Hawke (second team), Brock Wilken (second team), Seth Keener (third team) and Camden Minacci (third team) earned recognition for their efforts in helping Wake Forest post its greatest regular season in program history.
Wake Forest's nine honorees led the league and tied the 2017 team for the most all-conference honorees in program history. Hartle, Lowder, Sullivan, Kurtz and Johnson's selections marked the most first team honors in Wake Forest history.
Walter has helped 44 players get drafted or sign pro contracts over the last eight years, including six Deacs drafted among the top 50 picks and back-to-back first rounders in 2021 (Ryan Cusick) and 2020 (Jared Shuster).
#ProDeacs in the major leagues include Gavin Sheets (2021), Stuart Fairchild (2021), Nate Mondou (2022) and Jared Shuster (2023) who all have made their MLB debuts in the last two seasons.
In addition to Sheets, Fairchild, Mondou and Shuster reaching the Major Leagues, active professional players Walter coached at Wake Forest include Parker Dunshee (AA, Giants), Connor Johnstone (AAA, Braves), Jared Shuster (Braves), Morgan McSweeney (AAA, Orioles), Ryan Cusick (AA, A's), Patrick Frick (AA, Mariners), Colin Peluse (AAA, A's), Will Simoneit (AA, A's), William Fleming (High A, Royals), Shane Muntz (High A, Diamondbacks), Bobby Seymour (High A, Rays), Antonio Menendez (High A, Rays), Michael Turconi (High A, Blue Jays) and Eric Adler (Low A, White Sox).
2024 Season Ticket Deposits On Sale Now!
Guarantee your seat at The Couch for every regular season game next season by putting down a deposit on 2024 baseball season tickets here.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
"I would like to thank our Board of Trustees, President Susan R. Wente, Ph.D. and AD John Currie for the confidence they have in our program and the belief they have in me personally," said Walter. "The number of people who have stepped forward to make this a reality is humbling.
"To work alongside Bill Cilento, Corey Muscara, Matt Wessinger and the rest of our staff is a privilege and an honor that I do not take for granted. Most importantly, we have the absolute best student-athletes in the world here at Wake Forest and they make my job the absolute best in the world."
The Deacs finished the 2023 season with program records in regular season wins (45), ACC wins (22), ACC series wins (10), postseason wins (9) and overall wins (54).
Additionally, this year's Demon Deacons squad became the 13th ACC team since 2010 to reach the 50-win mark and the 28th to do so since 2000. The 54 wins this season marks the first 50-win season by an ACC team since 2019, the most wins by an ACC team since 2013 and is the third highest win total since 2010.
"Tom Walter has built a sustainable winning culture for the storied Demon Deacons baseball program and strives each day to provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience for his players," director of athletics John Currie said. "The historic season we all just witnessed from our Diamond Deacs gave the college baseball world a look into the team-first culture Coach Walter has built over the last 14 seasons as our head baseball coach. With record ticket sales and attendance at the Couch this spring, along with the over six million viewers of our games at the Men's College World Series this summer, Coach Walter's program has brought significant Value to Wake Forest, Winston-Salem & Triad Communities. This long-term extension is an example of Wake Forest's commitment to supporting the success of our student-athletes in the classroom, community and on the field."
A proven program builder and player developer, Tom Walter just completed his 14th season as the head coach of Wake Forest baseball in 2023.
With 420 wins as the Demon Deacon skipper, he sits as the second-winningest coach in program history, trailing only George Greer.
"Coach Walter is a one of a kind human that cares about his players and program more than anyone you will meet," said two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year and unanimous All-American Rhett Lowder. "It makes me proud to be a Deac knowing that Coach Walter will continue to lead a great coaching staff and team."
"This is such an amazing opportunity for the best guy out there," said Wake Forest home run record holder and All-American Brock Wilken. "There is no one I would've wanted to spend the last three years of this amazing college journey playing behind. Coach welcomed each one of us with open arms, mind and heart. One of the greatest coaches I've ever been around and even better human, and that says a lot. He surrounded us with a great staff to develop, build a culture and have a shot at bringing a title back home for the Deacs. I can't thank him enough for everything he's done for me and us as a collective group. He's not done yet and there's still work to do! Love you coach! Brothers forever."
Wake Forest's 17-1 win against Pitt on Sunday, April 23 marked the 400th win of Walter's tenure at the helm of the Demon Deacon baseball program.
Walter was named the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Perfect Game National Coach of the Year and ABCA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
Walter became the third Demon Deacon skipper to receive conference coach of the year honors (George Greer and Marvin Crater) after leading the 2023 Wake Forest ballclub to a historic season.
The 2023 Wake Forest baseball team made the program's third ever Men's College World Series appearance this season, and its first since capturing the program's first national championship in 1955.
Wake Forest earned the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and went a perfect 3-0 in the Winston-Salem Regional, its first time hosting since 2017, with victories over Maryland and George Mason (twice) to host Winston-Salem's first ever super regional.
With its win over George Mason to clinch the regional title, the Deacs became the first team in program history and the nation to reach the 50-win mark.
Additionally, Wake Forest became the first team since North Carolina in 2017 to run the table and win all 10 ACC series in a season and clinched the program's first Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title since 1963
The Deacs continued their winning ways in Omaha, defeating No. 8 Stanford and No. 5 LSU.
In the opening game of the MCWS, Wake Forest came from behind to take a one-run lead in the eighth inning before Camden Minacci slammed the door in the ninth, recording a save.
In its first of three games against LSU, Bennett Lee delivered with a clutch RBI-single down the left field line to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth before Minacci once again slammed the door in the top of the ninth to clinch the victory.
The Demon Deacons strikeout numbers have been historic, ranking third in NCAA history in single-season strikeouts with a program-record 779 strikeouts.
Wake Forest also set new program highs in strikeouts-per-nine innings (12.1), fielding percentage (.979), shutouts (10), runs (591), home runs (130), RBIs (541) and walks (424).
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Deacs led the nation in virtually every pitching category (ERA, hits-per-nine innings, WHIP, strikeouts-per-nine innings, strikeout-to-walk ratio and strikeouts) and ranked in the top six in the ACC in every offensive category.
For the second year in a row, Wake Forest baseball righthander Rhett Lowder was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year. After becoming the first Demon Deacon ever to receive the award last season, Lowder is just the second pitcher in conference history to garner back-to-back Pitcher of the Year honors (Danny Hultzen, 2010-11).
Additionally, Wake Forest baseball placed a league high and tied a program best with nine selections to the 2023 All-Atlantic Coast Conference teams
Josh Hartle (first team), Rhett Lowder (first team), Sean Sullivan (first team), Nick Kurtz (first team), Justin Johnson (first team), Tommy Hawke (second team), Brock Wilken (second team), Seth Keener (third team) and Camden Minacci (third team) earned recognition for their efforts in helping Wake Forest post its greatest regular season in program history.
Wake Forest's nine honorees led the league and tied the 2017 team for the most all-conference honorees in program history. Hartle, Lowder, Sullivan, Kurtz and Johnson's selections marked the most first team honors in Wake Forest history.
Walter has helped 44 players get drafted or sign pro contracts over the last eight years, including six Deacs drafted among the top 50 picks and back-to-back first rounders in 2021 (Ryan Cusick) and 2020 (Jared Shuster).
#ProDeacs in the major leagues include Gavin Sheets (2021), Stuart Fairchild (2021), Nate Mondou (2022) and Jared Shuster (2023) who all have made their MLB debuts in the last two seasons.
In addition to Sheets, Fairchild, Mondou and Shuster reaching the Major Leagues, active professional players Walter coached at Wake Forest include Parker Dunshee (AA, Giants), Connor Johnstone (AAA, Braves), Jared Shuster (Braves), Morgan McSweeney (AAA, Orioles), Ryan Cusick (AA, A's), Patrick Frick (AA, Mariners), Colin Peluse (AAA, A's), Will Simoneit (AA, A's), William Fleming (High A, Royals), Shane Muntz (High A, Diamondbacks), Bobby Seymour (High A, Rays), Antonio Menendez (High A, Rays), Michael Turconi (High A, Blue Jays) and Eric Adler (Low A, White Sox).
2024 Season Ticket Deposits On Sale Now!
Guarantee your seat at The Couch for every regular season game next season by putting down a deposit on 2024 baseball season tickets here.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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