The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Wake Forest: a football coaching history

National Program III#69 of 138–
See Wake Forest’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
D.C. Walker
Peaked at National Program I
Built by
D.C. Walker
Regional Program IV → National Program I (+24.0)
The fall
Billy Hildebrand
Regional Program II → Regional Program IV (−11.6)
Right now
Jake Dickert
in year 2 — too new to place in Wake Forest's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)WalkerRogersTateMillsGrohDooleyCaldwellGrobeClawson19401960198020002020

Every coach

2025–now
Jake Dickertshort tenure
9–4
2014–2024
Dave Clawsoncaretaker
Dave Clawson moved Wake Forest from Regional Program II to National Program III in 11 seasons.
National Program III
67–69
2001–2013
Jim Grobebuilder
Jim Grobe raised Wake Forest from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+15.4
77–82
1993–2000
Jim Caldwellcaretaker
Jim Caldwell held Wake Forest at Regional Program III for 8 seasons.
Regional Program III
26–63
1987–1992
Bill Dooleycaretaker
Bill Dooley moved Wake Forest from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 6 seasons.
Regional Program III
29–36
1981–1986
Al Grohcaretaker
Al Groh held Wake Forest at Regional Program IV for 6 seasons.
Regional Program IV
26–40
1978–1980
John Mackoviccaretaker
John Mackovic moved Wake Forest from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 3 seasons.
Regional Program IV
14–20
1973–1977
Chuck Millscaretaker
Chuck Mills slid Wake Forest from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
11–43
1972–1972
Tom Harpershort tenure
2–9
1969–1971
Cal Stollcaretaker
Cal Stoll moved Wake Forest from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
Regional Program III
15–17
1964–1968
William Tatecaretaker
William Tate held Wake Forest at Regional Program IV for 5 seasons.
Regional Program IV
17–32
1960–1963
Billy Hildebrandcaretaker
Billy Hildebrand held Wake Forest at Regional Program II for 4 seasons.
−11.6
7–33
1956–1959
Paul Amencaretaker
Paul Amen held Wake Forest at National Program III for 4 seasons.
National Program III
11–26
1951–1955
Tom Rogerscaretaker
Tom Rogers held Wake Forest at National Program I for 5 seasons.
−10.1
21–25
1937–1950
D.C. Walkerbuilder
D.C. Walker raised Wake Forest from Regional Program IV to National Program I.
+24.0
77–51
1936–1936
Jim Weavershort tenure
5–4