Coach Dickert Names Trio of Leadership Positions on Football Staff
1/21/2025 1:31:00 PM | Football
Justin Kramer, Rob Schlaeger and Brent Vernon all join the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community following the transformative tenure with Coach Jake Dickert at Washington State.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest Athletics and head coach Jake Dickert have announced three leaders to the football staff.
"These three individuals bring exceptional leadership, experience, and commitment to the growth of our players and the Wake Forest football program," said Dickert. "Justin, Rob, and Brent have all played vital roles in building successful teams, and I'm thrilled to have them at Wake Forest. Their dedication to developing student-athletes and enhancing our program's culture will be invaluable as we move forward together here at this world-class University and in the Atlantic Coast Conference."
Rob Schlaeger, General Manager
Rob Schlaeger was named as Wake Forest football's General Manager on Jake Dickert's staff after having served in the same role at Washington State since 2020. As part of his duties, Schlaeger oversees all of the Demon Deacons scouting and recruiting efforts from talent at the high school and collegiate levels, as well as through the transfer portal.
"I am honored to work with Coach Dickert and be a part of the Wake Forest community," said Schlaeger. "Working alongside Coach Dickert for several years, I've seen firsthand his passion for creating a winning culture built on trust, discipline, and hard work. I'm excited to bring that same energy and vision to the Demon Deacons as we build something truly special here in Winston-Salem."
Schlaeger spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons working with the defense at Minot State University (N.D.), where he served as the defensive front coordinator and defensive line coach.
In 2017, Schlaeger served as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming, working under Jake Dickert, who was the safeties coach at the time. Wyoming had one of the top defensive units in the country, finishing ninth in scoring defense (17.5 points per game) and 23rd in total defense. The Cowboys posted an 8-5 overall record and capped the season with a 37-14 victory over Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
In 2016, Schlaeger joined the University of West Florida as the outside linebackers coach during the program's inaugural season. He developed practice plans, created scouting reports on opponents, and helped construct game plans. That season, the Argonauts achieved a 5-6 record, highlighted by two shutouts and a top-20 victory.
Schlaeger began his coaching career at Southwest Minnesota State University, serving as an undergraduate assistant from December 2011 to June 2016. He coached the linebackers for three seasons and worked with the defensive secondary for one season. In 2015, he was promoted to a graduate assistant role, coaching the outside linebackers. That year, Southwest Minnesota State posted an 8-3 record, its best at the Division-II level. Earlier in his tenure, the program earned its first-ever Division-II bowl bid to the Mineral Water Bowl in 2013.
Schlaeger earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and sport management from Southwest Minnesota State in 2015 and completed his master's degree in coaching of sport from SMSU in 2016.
Justin Kramer, Assistant Head Coach
Justin Kramer joins the Wake Forest football staff as Assistant Head Coach for Jake Dickert after three seasons at Washington State. In 2023 and 2024, Kramer served as special assistant to the head coach and assistant offensive line coach, while in 2022, he was the program's director of scouting.
"It's a privilege to continue working with Coach Dickert at a prestigious institution like Wake Forest," said Kramer. "Coach Dickert's leadership and ability to inspire a team are unmatched, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success of this program. The passion and pride of the Wake Forest community make this an incredible place to call home."
Washington State achieved significant success during Kramer's tenure, including a historic 8-1 start in 2024, climbing into the top 20 of the AP Poll for the first time since 2018. The Cougars had back-to-back seasons with multiple non-conference wins over Power 4 teams and fielded one of the nation's top offenses, ranking No. 11 in scoring in 2024 (36.8 points per game). Kramer also contributed to a defense that led the nation with five defensive touchdowns in 2023.
Before Washington State, Kramer spent two seasons at Southeast Missouri State as assistant head coach and tight ends coach. Previously, he served five years (2015-19) at Missouri State as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, where his special teams units were among the most consistent in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Kramer's coaching career also includes roles at Missouri, where he worked with the SEC's top defensive units as a defensive analyst and assistant director of recruiting, and at SEMO, where he coached four First-Team All-OVC offensive linemen and helped the program lead the nation in rushing and fewest sacks allowed in 2010.
A Liberty, Missouri native, Kramer was a four-year letterman at Southern Illinois (2002-05), contributing to three Missouri Valley Football Conference titles and NCAA Playoff appearances. He and his wife, Killian, have a daughter, Leyna, and a son, Vince.
Brent Vernon, Chief of Staff
Brent Vernon joins Coach Jake Dickert's staff at Wake Forest as the Chief of Staff ahead of the 2025 season. Vernon served in the same role for Coach Dickert at Washington State for four years (2021-24). Additionally, Coach Dickert and Vernon spent three seasons together (2017-19) when both worked on Craig Bohl's staff at Wyoming.
"Joining the Wake Forest football family is an exciting new chapter, and I'm grateful to Coach Dickert for the opportunity," said Vernon. "Having worked with him for many years, I know his vision for success and dedication to excellence are second to none. I look forward to supporting the players, staff, and community as we work together to achieve great things."
Vernon's role at Wake Forest is similar to the post he held in Pullman as he leads as the administrative operations of the football team, including oversight of team budget, serving as liaison with athletics administration as well as academic and other staff.
Vernon arrived at Washington State after spending the previous 13 seasons at Wyoming. Vernon was promoted to Associate A.D. for Football Operations in the summer of 2018 after being named the Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations in the spring of 2017. He previously served in the roles of Executive Assistant to the Head Coach and Assistant Director of Football Operations in 2012. In 2011, Vernon served as Wyoming's Director of Recruiting, being promoted from his previous position as the Cowboys' offensive graduate assistant in 2009 and 2010.
Prior to Wyoming, Vernon was at the University of Missouri where he was a student assistant with the Mizzou Football program for five seasons from August 2004 to December 2008. At Missouri, he assisted the tight ends' coach, broke down practice and game film and prepared scouting reports. During that five-year span, Missouri enjoyed unprecedented success. The Tigers won the 2005 Independence Bowl over South Carolina, played Oregon State in the 2006 Sun Bowl, won the Cotton Bowl over Arkansas at the conclusion of the 2007 season and defeated Northwestern in the 2008 Alamo Bowl.
Vernon completed his Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Management, at Missouri in December of 2008. Vernon was named to the Dean's List all four years of college.
He and his wife, Emily, were married in the summer of 2017. They have a son, Theo and daughter, Sophie.
"These three individuals bring exceptional leadership, experience, and commitment to the growth of our players and the Wake Forest football program," said Dickert. "Justin, Rob, and Brent have all played vital roles in building successful teams, and I'm thrilled to have them at Wake Forest. Their dedication to developing student-athletes and enhancing our program's culture will be invaluable as we move forward together here at this world-class University and in the Atlantic Coast Conference."
Rob Schlaeger, General Manager
Rob Schlaeger was named as Wake Forest football's General Manager on Jake Dickert's staff after having served in the same role at Washington State since 2020. As part of his duties, Schlaeger oversees all of the Demon Deacons scouting and recruiting efforts from talent at the high school and collegiate levels, as well as through the transfer portal.
"I am honored to work with Coach Dickert and be a part of the Wake Forest community," said Schlaeger. "Working alongside Coach Dickert for several years, I've seen firsthand his passion for creating a winning culture built on trust, discipline, and hard work. I'm excited to bring that same energy and vision to the Demon Deacons as we build something truly special here in Winston-Salem."
Schlaeger spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons working with the defense at Minot State University (N.D.), where he served as the defensive front coordinator and defensive line coach.
In 2017, Schlaeger served as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming, working under Jake Dickert, who was the safeties coach at the time. Wyoming had one of the top defensive units in the country, finishing ninth in scoring defense (17.5 points per game) and 23rd in total defense. The Cowboys posted an 8-5 overall record and capped the season with a 37-14 victory over Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
In 2016, Schlaeger joined the University of West Florida as the outside linebackers coach during the program's inaugural season. He developed practice plans, created scouting reports on opponents, and helped construct game plans. That season, the Argonauts achieved a 5-6 record, highlighted by two shutouts and a top-20 victory.
Schlaeger began his coaching career at Southwest Minnesota State University, serving as an undergraduate assistant from December 2011 to June 2016. He coached the linebackers for three seasons and worked with the defensive secondary for one season. In 2015, he was promoted to a graduate assistant role, coaching the outside linebackers. That year, Southwest Minnesota State posted an 8-3 record, its best at the Division-II level. Earlier in his tenure, the program earned its first-ever Division-II bowl bid to the Mineral Water Bowl in 2013.
Schlaeger earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and sport management from Southwest Minnesota State in 2015 and completed his master's degree in coaching of sport from SMSU in 2016.
Justin Kramer, Assistant Head Coach
Justin Kramer joins the Wake Forest football staff as Assistant Head Coach for Jake Dickert after three seasons at Washington State. In 2023 and 2024, Kramer served as special assistant to the head coach and assistant offensive line coach, while in 2022, he was the program's director of scouting.
"It's a privilege to continue working with Coach Dickert at a prestigious institution like Wake Forest," said Kramer. "Coach Dickert's leadership and ability to inspire a team are unmatched, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success of this program. The passion and pride of the Wake Forest community make this an incredible place to call home."
Washington State achieved significant success during Kramer's tenure, including a historic 8-1 start in 2024, climbing into the top 20 of the AP Poll for the first time since 2018. The Cougars had back-to-back seasons with multiple non-conference wins over Power 4 teams and fielded one of the nation's top offenses, ranking No. 11 in scoring in 2024 (36.8 points per game). Kramer also contributed to a defense that led the nation with five defensive touchdowns in 2023.
Before Washington State, Kramer spent two seasons at Southeast Missouri State as assistant head coach and tight ends coach. Previously, he served five years (2015-19) at Missouri State as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, where his special teams units were among the most consistent in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Kramer's coaching career also includes roles at Missouri, where he worked with the SEC's top defensive units as a defensive analyst and assistant director of recruiting, and at SEMO, where he coached four First-Team All-OVC offensive linemen and helped the program lead the nation in rushing and fewest sacks allowed in 2010.
A Liberty, Missouri native, Kramer was a four-year letterman at Southern Illinois (2002-05), contributing to three Missouri Valley Football Conference titles and NCAA Playoff appearances. He and his wife, Killian, have a daughter, Leyna, and a son, Vince.
Brent Vernon, Chief of Staff
Brent Vernon joins Coach Jake Dickert's staff at Wake Forest as the Chief of Staff ahead of the 2025 season. Vernon served in the same role for Coach Dickert at Washington State for four years (2021-24). Additionally, Coach Dickert and Vernon spent three seasons together (2017-19) when both worked on Craig Bohl's staff at Wyoming.
"Joining the Wake Forest football family is an exciting new chapter, and I'm grateful to Coach Dickert for the opportunity," said Vernon. "Having worked with him for many years, I know his vision for success and dedication to excellence are second to none. I look forward to supporting the players, staff, and community as we work together to achieve great things."
Vernon's role at Wake Forest is similar to the post he held in Pullman as he leads as the administrative operations of the football team, including oversight of team budget, serving as liaison with athletics administration as well as academic and other staff.
Vernon arrived at Washington State after spending the previous 13 seasons at Wyoming. Vernon was promoted to Associate A.D. for Football Operations in the summer of 2018 after being named the Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations in the spring of 2017. He previously served in the roles of Executive Assistant to the Head Coach and Assistant Director of Football Operations in 2012. In 2011, Vernon served as Wyoming's Director of Recruiting, being promoted from his previous position as the Cowboys' offensive graduate assistant in 2009 and 2010.
Prior to Wyoming, Vernon was at the University of Missouri where he was a student assistant with the Mizzou Football program for five seasons from August 2004 to December 2008. At Missouri, he assisted the tight ends' coach, broke down practice and game film and prepared scouting reports. During that five-year span, Missouri enjoyed unprecedented success. The Tigers won the 2005 Independence Bowl over South Carolina, played Oregon State in the 2006 Sun Bowl, won the Cotton Bowl over Arkansas at the conclusion of the 2007 season and defeated Northwestern in the 2008 Alamo Bowl.
Vernon completed his Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Management, at Missouri in December of 2008. Vernon was named to the Dean's List all four years of college.
He and his wife, Emily, were married in the summer of 2017. They have a son, Theo and daughter, Sophie.
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