Second-year coach Jake Dickert at Wake Forest has become one of the hottest names of the coaching carousel in recent weeks after leading the Demon Deacons on the verge of a College Football Playoff berth.
It doesn't seem like he's leaving anytime soon, though.
Wake Forest has signed Dickert to a "long-term" contract extension, the school announced on Thursday, Nov. 12.
"Candice and I are thankful to President (Peter) Rodriguez, (athletic director) John Currie, our trustees, the Wake Forest family and this community for the support they have shown our family, coaching staff and players since we arrived in Winston-Salem," Dickert said in the announcement. "We are excited about the future of Wake Forest Football and taking our program to new heights.
Our players are proud to represent Wake Forest and embody what Built in the Dark is all about. We are just getting started."
Dickert has a 17-5 record so far at Wake Forest, including an 8-1 start to the 2026 season. Wake Forest (No. 11 in US LBM Coaches Poll) came in at No. 13 in the latest CFP rankings, putting it right outside the 12-team field.
Dickert and offensive coordinator Rob Ezell have also developed quarterback Gio Lopez into one of the best signal callers in the country this season, despite Lopez being benched by 4-8 North Carolina last season. Lopez ranks eighth nationally with an 84.3 QBR and has 2,176 passing yards with 24 touchdowns to one interception on the season.
His 9-4 season in 2025 was the best debut by a first-year coach in program history, and his 17-5 start through 22 games is already the third-most wins through a two-year stretch at Wake Forest. Wake Forest only had three seasons with nine or more wins before Dickert's arrival from Washington State, where he went 23-20 in four seasons.
The details of his contract extension, including his salary, are unknown at this time.
"Wake Forest University is committed to football success at the highest level and Coach Dickert has done an extraordinary job of inspiring belief among our players, fans and the entire Demon Deacon community," Currie said. "I am grateful for his and Candice's commitment and trust and especially appreciate President Rodriguez and our Board leadership recognizing that now was the time to go ahead and eliminate any outside speculation so that our team and Deacon Nation can put all our energy into the stretch run of this special season."
Wake Forest closes its season against SMU, Georgia Tech and Duke. Its the current frontrunner to face Miami in the ACC championship game, as the Demon Deacons are in sole possession of second place in the current standings.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jake Dickert signs 'long-term' extension with Wake Forest amid coaching rumors
