Demon Deacons Announce Contract Extensions for Football Coaching Staff
12/22/2025 4:25:00 PM | Football
Coach Jake Dickert has extended contracts for his on-field coaching staff as well as his leadership staff within the program.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest Athletics and head football coach Jake Dickert announced contract extensions for 14 members of the Demon Deacons' coaching and football leadership staff, reinforcing the program's commitment to continuity, alignment, and sustained success.
"We talk constantly about alignment, trust, and shared vision," Dickert said. "Staff continuity in today's college football landscape is incredibly important, and I'm grateful for the commitment our administration has shown to our program and our people. These men are elite teachers, elite developers of young men, and relentless competitors who believe in what Wake Forest football can be. Continuity allows us to build year over year, stay true to who we are, and continue pushing this program forward together."
Leadership Staff Extensions
2025 Season Review
Wake Forest capped the 2025 regular season with an 8–4 record, marking the fifth time in the last nine years the Demon Deacons have reached eight or more wins. Wake Forest is one of just four ACC programs—alongside Clemson, Louisville, and NC State—to accomplish that feat during the span. The season featured two marquee CFP Top-25 victories, including a road win at No. 12 Virginia, the Cavaliers' only home loss of the year, and a home victory over SMU that snapped the Mustangs' 20-game regular-season conference winning streak.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons were elite, ranking sixth in the ACC and 38th nationally in scoring defense, while finishing top-five in the league in both total defense and passing defense. Wake Forest did not allow a touchdown against either No. 12 Virginia or North Carolina.
A total of 12 Demon Deacons earned All-ACC honors, marking the ninth consecutive season Wake Forest has placed six or more players on the All-Conference teams. Since 2019, Wake Forest's 74 All-ACC selections rank fifth most in the league.
ACC, Wake Forest Announce Opponents for 2026 Season
In conjunction with the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest University recently announced its conference opponents for the upcoming 2026 football season.
Beginning in 2026, the ACC will move toward a nine-game conference schedule, further strengthening league competition and national positioning. Wake Forest's 2026 slate reflects that enhanced model as the Demon Deacons will travel to Purdue for a huge B1G-ACC matchup on Sept. 12, which fulfills the ACC's Power 4 non-conference requirement.
The Demon Deacons will welcome several premier ACC opponents to Winston-Salem, including 2026 College Football Playoff qualifier Miami, 2025 ACC Championship Game participants Duke and Virginia, and Stanford, which will make just its second-ever visit to Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. The 2026 schedule also features a blend of historic rivalries and new destinations. Wake Forest will travel to California for the first time in program history and will visit Dallas to face SMU for the first time since 1949. Additional road trips include Georgia Tech — marking the Deacs' first game in Atlanta since 2017 — and Louisville, where Wake Forest will play for the first time since 2022.
Highlighting the away slate is the annual Big-4 rivalry at NC State, which remains the cornerstone of Wake Forest's conference schedule. Dating back to 1910, the series is the second-longest continuously played rivalry in FBS history, trailing only Wisconsin–Minnesota.
Meanwhile, the Deacs other two home non-conference games inside Allegacy Stadium will be against Merrimack on Nov. 7 and Opening Night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium is set for Thursday, Sept. 3, when Wake hosts Akron as that game will launch another exciting fall of ACC football in Winston-Salem.
The ACC will release the full 2026 football schedule, including dates and kickoff times, in late January. Additional announcements regarding the complete non-conference schedule, Homecoming, Family Weekend, Unrivaled Weekend, and Senior Day will be made at later dates.
New $99 Season Ticket Option Available for Limited Time
As head coach Jake Dickert and the Deacs head to a bowl game after finishing with the winningest regular season in program history by a first year head coach at 8-4, there's no better time to lock in seats for the much-anticipated 2026 season at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Secure the fan-friendly $99 Built in the Dark ticket plans—available through the Deacs' December bowl game.
Built in the Dark season ticket packages purchased before the 'Deacs bowl game include:
2026 renewals are now available for football season ticket holders. Fans can renew by logging into their online accounts and accessing their renewal application, or by calling the ticket office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1.
Fans who renew prior to the bowl game will receive a head coach Jake Dickert bobblehead (one per account; two for accounts with four or more tickets).
Pricing for the 2026 season is available by clicking here. Fans may secure tickets through a convenient four-month payment plan if tickets are ordered by March 31st.
The deadline for becoming entered into the priority seat selection process is February 16th. All new or current season ticket holders will have the ability to participate in the priority seat selection process that will take place between February 23rd until March 6th. More information regarding the priority seat selection process will be sent to all season ticket holders closer to the start of the seat selection process. Season ticket orders placed after March 6th will be assigned into available seats on a first-come, first-served basis.
Next Up
The Deacs are currently preparing for the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl that will be played inside Bank of America in Charlotte on Jan. 2. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN.
"We talk constantly about alignment, trust, and shared vision," Dickert said. "Staff continuity in today's college football landscape is incredibly important, and I'm grateful for the commitment our administration has shown to our program and our people. These men are elite teachers, elite developers of young men, and relentless competitors who believe in what Wake Forest football can be. Continuity allows us to build year over year, stay true to who we are, and continue pushing this program forward together."
Leadership Staff Extensions
- From a leadership and operational perspective, Wake Forest extended contracts for:
- Rob Schlaeger, General Manager
- Justin Kramer, Baker Family Assistant Head Coach
- Brent Vernon, Chief of Staff
- Ben Iannacchione, Head Football Strength & Conditioning Coach
- On the offensive side, the following coaches agreed to contract extensions:
- Rob Ezell, Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends
- Dan Enos, Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks
- Jared Kaster, Assistant Coach, Offensive Line
- Effrem Reed, Assistant Coach, Running Backs
- Defensively, Wake Forest extended contracts for:
- Scottie Hazelton, Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
- Peter Kaligis, Assistant Coach, Defensive Tackles
- T.J. Hollowell, Assistant Coach, Defensive Ends
- Chevis Jackson, Assistant Coach, Cornerbacks
- Adam Pilapil, Assistant Coach, Linebackers
- Freddie Banks signed a contract extension and was promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator / Safeties.
2025 Season Review
Wake Forest capped the 2025 regular season with an 8–4 record, marking the fifth time in the last nine years the Demon Deacons have reached eight or more wins. Wake Forest is one of just four ACC programs—alongside Clemson, Louisville, and NC State—to accomplish that feat during the span. The season featured two marquee CFP Top-25 victories, including a road win at No. 12 Virginia, the Cavaliers' only home loss of the year, and a home victory over SMU that snapped the Mustangs' 20-game regular-season conference winning streak.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons were elite, ranking sixth in the ACC and 38th nationally in scoring defense, while finishing top-five in the league in both total defense and passing defense. Wake Forest did not allow a touchdown against either No. 12 Virginia or North Carolina.
A total of 12 Demon Deacons earned All-ACC honors, marking the ninth consecutive season Wake Forest has placed six or more players on the All-Conference teams. Since 2019, Wake Forest's 74 All-ACC selections rank fifth most in the league.
ACC, Wake Forest Announce Opponents for 2026 Season
In conjunction with the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest University recently announced its conference opponents for the upcoming 2026 football season.
Beginning in 2026, the ACC will move toward a nine-game conference schedule, further strengthening league competition and national positioning. Wake Forest's 2026 slate reflects that enhanced model as the Demon Deacons will travel to Purdue for a huge B1G-ACC matchup on Sept. 12, which fulfills the ACC's Power 4 non-conference requirement.
The Demon Deacons will welcome several premier ACC opponents to Winston-Salem, including 2026 College Football Playoff qualifier Miami, 2025 ACC Championship Game participants Duke and Virginia, and Stanford, which will make just its second-ever visit to Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. The 2026 schedule also features a blend of historic rivalries and new destinations. Wake Forest will travel to California for the first time in program history and will visit Dallas to face SMU for the first time since 1949. Additional road trips include Georgia Tech — marking the Deacs' first game in Atlanta since 2017 — and Louisville, where Wake Forest will play for the first time since 2022.
Highlighting the away slate is the annual Big-4 rivalry at NC State, which remains the cornerstone of Wake Forest's conference schedule. Dating back to 1910, the series is the second-longest continuously played rivalry in FBS history, trailing only Wisconsin–Minnesota.
Meanwhile, the Deacs other two home non-conference games inside Allegacy Stadium will be against Merrimack on Nov. 7 and Opening Night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium is set for Thursday, Sept. 3, when Wake hosts Akron as that game will launch another exciting fall of ACC football in Winston-Salem.
The ACC will release the full 2026 football schedule, including dates and kickoff times, in late January. Additional announcements regarding the complete non-conference schedule, Homecoming, Family Weekend, Unrivaled Weekend, and Senior Day will be made at later dates.
New $99 Season Ticket Option Available for Limited Time
As head coach Jake Dickert and the Deacs head to a bowl game after finishing with the winningest regular season in program history by a first year head coach at 8-4, there's no better time to lock in seats for the much-anticipated 2026 season at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Secure the fan-friendly $99 Built in the Dark ticket plans—available through the Deacs' December bowl game.
Built in the Dark season ticket packages purchased before the 'Deacs bowl game include:
- $99 per season ticket price point (increasing to $149 Super Value price point following the bowl)
- Built in the Dark T-Shirt with each ticket purchased
- Seating locations are available in section 10 (rows FFF–OOO) and section 11(rows L-CC) and 12 (rows F–CC)
2026 renewals are now available for football season ticket holders. Fans can renew by logging into their online accounts and accessing their renewal application, or by calling the ticket office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1.
Fans who renew prior to the bowl game will receive a head coach Jake Dickert bobblehead (one per account; two for accounts with four or more tickets).
Pricing for the 2026 season is available by clicking here. Fans may secure tickets through a convenient four-month payment plan if tickets are ordered by March 31st.
The deadline for becoming entered into the priority seat selection process is February 16th. All new or current season ticket holders will have the ability to participate in the priority seat selection process that will take place between February 23rd until March 6th. More information regarding the priority seat selection process will be sent to all season ticket holders closer to the start of the seat selection process. Season ticket orders placed after March 6th will be assigned into available seats on a first-come, first-served basis.
Next Up
The Deacs are currently preparing for the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl that will be played inside Bank of America in Charlotte on Jan. 2. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN.
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