Wake Forest Athletics
Five Questions with Ari Confesor
8/2/2023 10:45:00 AM | Football
“I don’t care who we’re playing against, these guys are going to show up.” - Ari Confesor
After an All-American career at receiver for Holy Cross and a standout 13 years combined coaching Rhode Island, Holy Cross and Air Force; Ari Confesor was hired as the new wide receiver coach at Wake Forest earlier this year.
With a wealth of talent and experience at his disposal, Confesor believes his group of receivers are set to continue to be a bane of opposing ACC defensive coordinators. Deacon Sports Xtra spoke with Confesor during Spring Camp for this Five Questions feature.
What did you learn about your group during spring camp?
Confesor: "We're going to fight — 100 percent. I don't care who we're playing against, these guys are going to show up. You can't ask for anything more. It's tough to win any game. It doesn't matter who you're playing against. But I just want these guys to put their best foot forward. We have a group that will be focused and determined. They're going to go 100 miles an hour. They're going to give you all they have. With the talent level we have, coupled with the work ethic, we're going to give ourselves a chance. All you want is a chance to compete and I think our guys are hungry for that."
How daunting is it to follow in the footsteps of Kevin Higgins, who is regarded as a mentor by head coach Dave Clawson?
Confesor: "It's an honor. He's (Higgins) unbelievable. Everybody knows his accolades, but he's a better person than a football coach, and that's what has made it easy and helpful. He's always here and willing to help. It's been an honor to be walking down the hallway with this staff. There's unbelievable coaches on this staff. I have big shoes to fill, but my goal is always to be the best Ari Confessor I can be. That's got me a long way in my career, whether that's playing or coaching. I care about the kids and I love this game. If I continue to love this game the way I do, and continue to put the kids first, everything will take care of itself. But it's a blessing to have all these guys here."
What were some of the qualities that led you to take the position at Wake Forest?
Confesor: "It's a family here. These guys do a lot of things together, whether they're roommates, hanging out in the facility together or going to class. They're brothers. It matters. I preach love in our room. The more you care for your brother, the harder it is to let them down. I think those guys all live that. I didn't come in and change it. This is how it already was. But the older guys are taking extra steps in bringing the younger guys along. You're only going to advance as far as the weakest link allows you. Those guys truly care for each other and pull for each other. They're all leaders, but also know how to follow each other. It's a pleasure to coach these guys and they make my job easy."
When will your family finally get the opportunity to join you in Winston-Salem?
Confesor: "They will get here at the end of May. Man, it will be great to be complete with my family. I want our players to meet my family. I'm a big family guy. I want the guys to see that, but also to know they are a part of my family as well. We'll get my wife and three kids settled, then my family from the northeast can come visit. Then it will be complete."
What did you see out of Tennessee transfer Walker Merrill during spring camp?
Confesor: "We came in at about the same time and were kind of the outsiders, getting to know everybody, and getting adjusted to the new culture. But the guys embraced him quickly. They took him under their wings and treated him like he'd been here three-or-four years. It's exciting. When he's on the field, he makes a ton of plays. He's fast, explosive and competitive. When he makes mistakes, because he's still learning, he's hard on himself. Why? Because he cares. And that's what you want. You want it to mean something to them that they do everything right, because it's important to him and the team. He's that kind of guy. He's getting in the playbook and learning this offense. We're unbelievably excited about his future and can't wait to get him back."
With a wealth of talent and experience at his disposal, Confesor believes his group of receivers are set to continue to be a bane of opposing ACC defensive coordinators. Deacon Sports Xtra spoke with Confesor during Spring Camp for this Five Questions feature.
What did you learn about your group during spring camp?
Confesor: "We're going to fight — 100 percent. I don't care who we're playing against, these guys are going to show up. You can't ask for anything more. It's tough to win any game. It doesn't matter who you're playing against. But I just want these guys to put their best foot forward. We have a group that will be focused and determined. They're going to go 100 miles an hour. They're going to give you all they have. With the talent level we have, coupled with the work ethic, we're going to give ourselves a chance. All you want is a chance to compete and I think our guys are hungry for that."
How daunting is it to follow in the footsteps of Kevin Higgins, who is regarded as a mentor by head coach Dave Clawson?
Confesor: "It's an honor. He's (Higgins) unbelievable. Everybody knows his accolades, but he's a better person than a football coach, and that's what has made it easy and helpful. He's always here and willing to help. It's been an honor to be walking down the hallway with this staff. There's unbelievable coaches on this staff. I have big shoes to fill, but my goal is always to be the best Ari Confessor I can be. That's got me a long way in my career, whether that's playing or coaching. I care about the kids and I love this game. If I continue to love this game the way I do, and continue to put the kids first, everything will take care of itself. But it's a blessing to have all these guys here."
What were some of the qualities that led you to take the position at Wake Forest?
Confesor: "It's a family here. These guys do a lot of things together, whether they're roommates, hanging out in the facility together or going to class. They're brothers. It matters. I preach love in our room. The more you care for your brother, the harder it is to let them down. I think those guys all live that. I didn't come in and change it. This is how it already was. But the older guys are taking extra steps in bringing the younger guys along. You're only going to advance as far as the weakest link allows you. Those guys truly care for each other and pull for each other. They're all leaders, but also know how to follow each other. It's a pleasure to coach these guys and they make my job easy."
When will your family finally get the opportunity to join you in Winston-Salem?
Confesor: "They will get here at the end of May. Man, it will be great to be complete with my family. I want our players to meet my family. I'm a big family guy. I want the guys to see that, but also to know they are a part of my family as well. We'll get my wife and three kids settled, then my family from the northeast can come visit. Then it will be complete."
What did you see out of Tennessee transfer Walker Merrill during spring camp?
Confesor: "We came in at about the same time and were kind of the outsiders, getting to know everybody, and getting adjusted to the new culture. But the guys embraced him quickly. They took him under their wings and treated him like he'd been here three-or-four years. It's exciting. When he's on the field, he makes a ton of plays. He's fast, explosive and competitive. When he makes mistakes, because he's still learning, he's hard on himself. Why? Because he cares. And that's what you want. You want it to mean something to them that they do everything right, because it's important to him and the team. He's that kind of guy. He's getting in the playbook and learning this offense. We're unbelievably excited about his future and can't wait to get him back."
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