The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the sport of American football. The Demon Deacons compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Wake Forest plays its home football games at BB&T Field and is currently coached by Dave Clawson.
Wake Forest struggled in football for much of the second half of the 20th century. The university is the sixth-smallest school in FBS in terms of undergraduate enrollment (behind only Rice, Tulsa and the three FBS United States service academies). It is also the smallest school playing in a Power Five conference. However, since the start of the 21st century, the Deacons have been mostly competitive.
History
Highlights | @NDmbb vs. Wake Forest (2018) - Highlights from the 76-71 win over the Deamon Deacons.
Early history (1888â€"1936)
Wake Forest first fielded a football team in 1888. The team was coached by W. C. Dowd and W. C. Riddick. That team played only one game, and went 1â€"0, a victory against North Carolina in the first-ever collegiate football game played in the state of North Carolina. From 1891 to 1893, under head coach E. Walter Sikes, Wake Forest posted a 6â€"2â€"1 record. Harry Rabenhorst coached Wake Forest for two seasons, posting a 3â€"8 record. Hank Garrity served as head football coach from 1923-1924. He compiled a 19â€"7â€"1 record in those two seasons. His .704 winning percentage is the highest in Wake Forest football history. F. S. Miller served as Wake Forest's head football coach for four seasons, posting a record of 18â€"15â€"4. His first two seasons were winning seasons, 6â€"5â€"1 and 5â€"3â€"1, respectively. Jim Weaver, who would become the ACC's first commissioner, coached the Demon Deacons football team for four seasons. His final record is 10â€"23â€"1.
Peahead Walker era (1937â€"1950)
Peahead Walker came to the Demon Deacons from Elon and was Wake Forest's head football coach for fourteen seasons, compiling a record of 77â€"51â€"6. He is tied with Jim Grobe as the winningest head football coach in Demon Deacon football history. Walker led the Deacons to two bowl games, a win over South Carolina in the inaugural Gator Bowl in 1946 and a loss to Baylor in the 1949 Dixie Bowl. He resigned after the 1950 season and was inducted into the Wake Forest Athletics Hall of Fame in 1971.
Tom Rogers era (1951â€"1955)
Tom Rogers led the Demon Deacons from 1951-1955, succeeding Walker. Rogers yearly records at Wake Forest were 6â€"4, 5â€"4â€"1, 3â€"6â€"1, 4â€"7â€"1 and 5â€"4â€"1. In 1951, the Demon Deacons compiled a 6â€"4 record and finished in a tie for seventh place in the Southern Conference. End Jack Lewis and linebacker Bill George were selected by the Associated Press as first-team players on the 1951 All-Southern Conference football team. In their second season under Rogers, the Demon Deacons compiled a 5â€"4â€"1 record and finished in a tie for second place in the Southern Conference with a 5â€"1 record against conference opponents. End Jack Lewis was selected by the United Press as a first-team player on the 1952 All-Southern Conference football team. This was followed by a 3â€"6â€"1 campaign in 1953 that saw Wake Forest finish in a three-way tie for third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 2â€"3 record against conference opponents. In 1954, the Demon Deacons compiled a 3â€"6â€"1 record and finished in sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 1â€"4â€"1 record against conference opponents. End Ed Stowers and tackle Bob Bartholomew were selected by the Associated Press as first-team players on the 1954 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Bartholomew was the only unanimous selection by all 43 voters. In 1955, their fifth season under Rogers, the Demon Deacons compiled a 5â€"4â€"1 record and finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 3â€"3â€"1 record against conference opponents. Tackle Bob Bartholomew was selected by both the Associated Press and the United Press International as a first-team player on the 1955 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Rogers was replaced as Wake Forest head coach after five seasons.
Paul Amen era (1956â€"1959)
Paul Amen, who succeeded Rogers, came to Wake Forest from his post as an assistant at Army and also struggled but managed to go 6â€"4 in his final season, his only winning record. He coached the Demon Deacons from 1956-1959. In their first season under Amen, the Demon Deacons compiled a 2â€"5â€"3 record and finished in seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 1â€"5â€"1 record against conference opponents. Halfback Billy Ray Barnes rushed for over 1,000 yards and was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team player on the 1956 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Amen's 1957 team posted a winless 0â€"10 record. This was followed by a 3â€"7 season in 1958. In 1958, the Demon Deacons compiled a 6â€"4 record and finished in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Quarterback Norm Snead and end Pete Manning were selected by the Associated Press and United Press International as first-team players on the 1959 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Snead later played 16 seasons in the NFL and was a four-time All-Pro selection. Guard Nick Patella was selected to the All-ACC team by the UPI. Amen was selected in 1956 and 1959 as ACC Coach of the Year, however, Amen retired after four seasons.
Billy Hildebrand era (1960â€"1963)
Billy Hildebrand was promoted from defensive line coach to head coach following Amen's retirement. Hildebrand, like his predecessors, struggled to find much success. His best season came in 1961 in which the Demon Deacons posted a 4â€"6 record. In its first season under Hildebrand, the Demon Deacons compiled a 2â€"8 record and finished in seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Quarterback Norm Snead was selected by the United Press International as a first-team player on the 1960 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Snead later played 16 seasons in the NFL and was a four-time All-Pro selection. In 1961, its second season under head coach Hildebrand, the team compiled a 4â€"6 record and finished in seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Halfback Alan White was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team player on the 1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. In 1962, the team compiled a 0â€"10 record and finished in last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This was followed by a 1â€"9 campaign in 1963 that saw Wake Forest finish in seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). After four seasons and a 7â€"33 overall record, Hildebrand was fired.
Bill Tate era (1964â€"1968)
Bill Tate was hired as the Demon Deacons head football coach in January 1964. Tate coached the Demon Deacons for five seasons. In its first season under Tate, the team compiled a 5â€"5 record and finished in a three-way tie for third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Three players received first-team All-ACC honors from the Associated Press: fullback Brian Piccolo, quarterback John Mackovic, and end Richard Cameron. Piccolo was a unanimous selection for the all-conference team, and was also selected as a first-team All-American by Football News. He set three ACC records in 1964 with 1,044 rushing yards, 111 points scored, and 17 touchdowns. Piccolo also led the nation in 1964 in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and points scored. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year, yet went unselected in the both the AFL and NFL drafts. Mackovic led the Demon Deacons with 1,340 passing yards while completing 89 of 195 passes. Cameron caught 29 passes for 410 yards. From 1964-1968, Wake Forest posted a 17â€"32â€"1 record and steadily declined year-by-year, going from 5â€"5 in Tate's first year worsening each year to 2â€"7â€"1 in his last. Tate won ACC Coach of the Year honors in 1964 but was fired after failing to post a winning record in any of his five seasons.
Cal Stoll era (1969â€"1971)
Cal Stoll was hired as Wake Forest's head coach away from Michigan State, where he served as an assistant. Stoll was able to have success with the Deacons, posting a 3â€"7 record his first year then back-to-back 6â€"5 records in his last two. In 1969, their first season under Stoll, the Demon Deacons compiled a 3-7 record and finished in seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1970, the team compiled an 6â€"5 record, finished in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 5-1 record against conference opponents. In their third season under Stoll, the Demon Deacons compiled a 6â€"5 record and finished in a tie for fifth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Stoll left Wake Forest after the 1971 season to take the head coach position at his alma mater Minnesota after initially declining the job. His final record was 15â€"17 and included Wake Forest's first ACC championship in 1970. Stoll won ACC Coach of the Year honors in 1970.
Tom Harper era (1972)
Tom Harper was promoted from assistant coach to head coach following Stoll's departure. In their first and only season under Harper, the Demon Deacons compiled a 2â€"9 record and finished in a tie for last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Harper was replaced as Wake Forest's head football coach after the 1972 season.
Chuck Mills era (1973â€"1977)
Chuck Mills was hired away from Utah State and served as the Demon Deacons head football coach for five seasons, compiling an 11â€"43â€"1 record before he was fired due to the team's continued lackluster on-the-field performance. In 1973, Mills' first season, the Demon Deacons compiled a 1-9-1 record and finished in last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This was followed by a 1-10 record and last place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1974. Mills' third season in 1975 saw the Demon Deacons go 3-8 record and finish in fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1976, the Demon Deacons compiled a 5-6 record and finished in third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In their fifth and final season under Mills in 1977, the Demon Deacons compiled a 5-6 record and finished in last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
John Mackovic era (1978â€"1980)
Purdue offensive coordinator and associate head coach John Mackovic took over as head coach of his alma mater in 1978 and re-energized the Wake Forest football program, turning the program around from 1â€"10 to 8â€"4 in one year, for which Mackovic won ACC Coach of the Year honors. His teams were aggressive and fast. In 1979, its second season under head coach John Mackovic, the team compiled an 8â€"4 record, finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and lost to LSU in the 1979 Tangerine Bowl. Mackovic won the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award in 1979. In its third season under head coach John Mackovic, the team compiled a 5â€"6 record and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Following the 1980 season, Mackovic left Wake Forest to take an assistant coaching position with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Mackovic's final record at Wake Forest is 14â€"20.
Al Groh era (1981â€"1986)
Under head coach Al Groh, the Demon Deacons compiled a 26â€"40 record. In 1981, their first season under Groh, the Demon Deacons compiled a 4â€"7 record and finished in sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In their second season under Groh, the Demon Deacons compiled a 5â€"6 record and finished in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In their third season under Groh, the Demon Deacons compiled a 4â€"7 record and finished in a tie for last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Groh's best season was a 6â€"5 1984 season. and Groh resigned after the 1986 season, a 5â€"6 campaign, to take an assistant coaching position with the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.
Bill Dooley era (1987â€"1992)
Bill Dooley, brother of former Georgia head football coach Vince Dooley and uncle of former Louisiana Tech and Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley, came to Wake Forest after a brief retirement from coaching. He had previously been head football coach at Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
In Dooley's first season, the team compiled a 7â€"4 record and finished in a tie for third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The next year, Wake Forest compiled a 6â€"4â€"1 record and finished in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1989, the Demon Deacons compiled a 2â€"8â€"1 record and finished in seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The following season, Wake Forest finished with a 3â€"8 record and finished in last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1991, Wake Forest again finished last in the ACC with a 3â€"8 record. Dooley led the Demon Deacons to one bowl game, the 1992 Independence Bowl, which Wake Forest won, capping off an 8â€"4 season in which they finished ranked #25 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, respectively. Dooley re-retired after that game. Dooley retired after the 1992 season. His six seasons in Winston-Salem are tied for fourth for longest tenure and his 29 wins are third in most wins in Wake Forest history. He had three winning seasons at Wake Forest, 7â€"4 in 1987, 6â€"4â€"1 in 1988, and the 8â€"4 1992 team. Dooley's final record is 29â€"36â€"2.
Jim Caldwell era (1993â€"2000)
Jim Caldwell came to Wake Forest from his post as quarterbacks coach at Penn State. Caldwell was the first African American head football coach in Wake Forest football history. Caldwell's Demon Deacons were known to pass the ball well, but struggled to run the ball, with one season the leading rusher only gaining a total of 300 yards for the entire season.
Caldwell's first season was 1993, during which the Demon Deacons compiled a 2â€"9 record and finished in last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the third year in a row. In 1994, the Demon Deacons compiled a 3â€"8 record and finished in eighth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That was followed by a 1â€"10 record and last place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the fourth time in five years. 1996 was another season of struggle, as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons compiled a 3â€"8 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, their best such finish in the ACC in over a decade.
In 1997, the Demon Deacons compiled a 5â€"6 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The highlight of the season came on opening weekend, when the Demon Deacons upset then No. 21 Northwestern by a score of 27â€"20, their first win over a ranked opponent in over a decade. In 1998, the Demon Deacons compiled a 3â€"8 record and finished in a tie for sixth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That was followed by the only winning season of Caldwell's tenure. In 2000, the Demon Deacons compiled a 2â€"9 record and finished in eighth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest struggled in Caldwell's eight-year tenure, posting only one winning season (a 7â€"5 1999 season, capped with a win in the 1999 Aloha Bowl). Caldwell was fired after the 2000 season. His final record at Wake Forest is 26â€"63.
Jim Grobe era (2001â€"2013)
Coach Jim Grobe came to Wake Forest from Ohio. He brought with him an aggressive defensive scheme and a philosophy of discipline and accountability for his players both on the field and off. In their first season under Grobe, the Demon Deacons compiled a 6â€"5 record and finished in a tie for seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 2002, the Demon Deacons compiled a 7â€"6 record and finished in a tie for seventh place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This was followed by a 5â€"7 campaign and seventh place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In 2004, the Demon Deacons compiled a 4â€"7 record and finished in a tie for last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That year, Wake Forest lost a close game on homecoming to then No. 5 Florida State on a field goal with one minute remaining in the contest by a score of 20-17. In their fifth season under Jim Grobe, the Demon Deacons compiled a 4â€"7 record and finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Grobe's best season was 2006, when the Demon Deacons posted an 11â€"2 record, won their first ACC championship in 36 years, and played in the Orange Bowl, a game they lost to Louisville. For the team's success in 2006, Grobe was awarded the ACC coach of the Year, Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award and AP Coach of the Year Award. Grobe's 77 wins are tied with Peahead Walker for most in Wake Forest football history.
After that 2006 season, Grobe's teams weren't able to match that level of success, winning six or more games just three times in the next seven years. Following the most successful season in team history in 2006, the 2007 team was not widely predicted to win the ACC despite returning many offensive starters from 2006. Some sports writers stated that they believed 2006 to have been a fluke and that Wake Forest was not going to win as many games in 2007, especially because of the losses on defense, including the loss of linebacker Jon Abbate to the National Football League. Wake Forest was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division of the ACC in the annual preseason poll conducted by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Lindy's was the only major preseason magazine to pick Wake Forest as a Top-25 team. The team began its season with an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game on Saturday, September 1, 2007 against Boston College. Wake Forest played its first season since winning the 2006 ACC championship, their first in 36 years. Wake Forest would finish the season with a 9â€"4 (5â€"3 ACC) record. A win in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl against UConn gave the Deacons twenty wins over the last two seasons. In 2008, Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the ACC the Demon Deacons began their season on August 28 at Baylor. The team finished 8â€"5 overall and 4â€"4 in ACC play, and beat Navy in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on December 20, 2008. The 2009 season saw the Demon Deacons finish the season with a record of 5â€"7 and 3â€"5 in ACC play. The Deacons missed out on a bowl game for the first time since the 2005 season.
In 2010, the Demon Deacons had another year of struggles, finishing 3â€"9, 1â€"7 in ACC play. This was followed by a 2011 season in which the Demon Deacons finished 6â€"7 and 5â€"3 in ACC play to finish in a tie for second place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the Music City Bowl where they were defeated by Mississippi State by a score of 23â€"17. The 2012 season saw Wake Forest finish 5â€"7 with a 3â€"5 record in ACC play. Grobe resigned as head coach after the 2013 season, a 4-8 campaign, with a 77â€"82 overall record.
Dave Clawson era (2014â€"present)
Dave Clawson was hired away from Bowling Green as the Demon Deacons head football coach, his hiring made official at a press conference on December 10, 2013. Clawson brought with him a coaching style that utilizes the team's available talent to maximize success. His offensive philosophy focuses on getting individual playmakers more touches rather than sticking to a rigidly-defined system.
After posting 3â€"9 (1â€"7 ACC) seasons in 2014 and 2015, Clawson’s 2016 team started the season by winning five of its first six games including road victories at Duke and Indiana. He led Wake Forest to its first bowl win in eight years, beating then No. 23 Temple 34-26 in the Military Bowl. Clawson has re-built the Deacons using a philosophy of strong recruiting classes, redshirting as many freshmen as possible, and having a strong strength and conditioning program. After the 2016 season, Wake Forest signed Clawson to a contract extension.
Head coaches
Bowl games
Wake Forest has played in twelve bowls in its history and owns a 8â€"4 record in those games. For the 2006 season, the school earned a bid to its first ever BCS game, with an Orange Bowl match-up against Louisville. Wake also had played in the 1982 Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, Japan against Clemson. However, because this game was played during the regular season, the NCAA does not recognize it as an official bowl game. Wake also competed in the 1951, 1953, 1954 Tobacco Bowl in Richmond, Virginia. According to the NCAA, it doesn't count as an official bowl game since this game isn't a postseason bowl.
Championships
Conference championships
Conference affiliations
- 1888â€"1935 â€" Independent
- 1936â€"1952 â€" Southern Conference
- 1953â€"present â€" Atlantic Coast Conference
Rivalries
Wake Forest is referred to as being a part of "Tobacco Road" or the Big Four, terms that refer to the four North Carolina schools that compete heatedly against each other within the ACC. Wake Forest swept the series with its Tobacco Road rivals in 1924, 1951, 1970, 1984, 1987, 2006, and 2007.
North Carolina
Wake Forest defeated North Carolina 6-4 on October 18, 1888 during the first intercollegiate football game played in the state of North Carolina. Wake's all-time record against UNC is 36â€"68â€"2.
North Carolina State
Wake Forest is 38â€"66â€"6 against in-state rival NC State, arguably their biggest rival. Being in the same division of the ACC, the two teams face each other every year. The rivalry also holds the distinction of being the longest continuous rivalry between two ACC schools, having been played every year since 1910, as well as being the fourth longest continuous rivalry in NCAA history. Although the series has been interrupted since its inception, it has been uninterrupted since 1910, tying it with Oklahoma/Oklahoma St. for the third-longest continuous rivalry in FBS Division 1 college football, after only Minnesota/Wisconsin (uninterrupted since 1907), and Clemson/South Carolina (uninterrupted since 1909). (The Lafayette/Lehigh game in the FCS college football subdivision has been played, uninterrupted, since 1897.)
Duke
Wake Forest is 37â€"57â€"2 against in-state rival Duke.
Vanderbilt
Wake Forest also plays out-of-conference foe Vanderbilt on a semi-regular basis. They had a contract through 2013 to play during the final "rivalry week" of the regular season after the 2014 & 2015 games were cancelled and subsequently replaced by new opponents. The two teams are not scheduled to play again until the 2022 & 2023 seasons. Wake is 6-10 against Vanderbilt since the teams first played in 1964.
Retired jerseys
- #16 â€" Norm Snead
- #19 â€" Bill Armstrong
- #31 â€" Brian Piccolo
- #33 â€" Billy Ray Barnes
- #47 â€" Bill George
Individual award winners
Player
- First Team All-American Selections
- 1976 - Bill Armstrong (consensus)
- 2005 - Ryan Plackimeier (unanimous)
- 2007 - Steve Justice (consensus)
- 2008 - Alphonso Smith (consensus)
- ACC 25th Anniversary Football Team
- Billy Ray Barnes
- Bill Armstrong
- ACC 50th Anniversary Football Team
- Bill Armstrong
- Brian Piccolo
- Norm Snead
- ACC All Decade Football Teams
- (2000â€"2009) Chris Barclay, Steve Justice, Ryan Plackemeier, Aaron Curry, Alphonso Smith
- All SoCon selections
- 1936 â€" Raleigh Daniel
- 1938 â€" Louis Trunzo, Marshall Edwards
- 1939 â€" Rupert Pate, John Polanski
- 1940 â€" Tony Gallovich
- 1941 â€" Carl Givler
- 1942 â€" Pat Preston, Red Cochran, Buck Jones
- 1943 â€" Nick Sacrinty, Elmer Barbour, Bill Starford
- 1944 â€" Nick Sacrinty, Elmer Barbour, Dick Foreman, John Kerns, George Owens, Dave Harris
- 1945 â€" Nick Sacrinty, Dave Harris, Dick Foreman, Buck Garrison, Rock Brinkley, Pride Ratterree
- 1946 â€" Nick Sacrinty, Bob Leonetti, Nick Ognovich
- 1947 â€" Jim Duncan, Tom Fetzer, Harry Clark, Ed Royston,
- 1948 â€" Jim Duncan, Tom Fetzer, Bill George, Red O'Quinn, Bill Gregus
- 1949 â€" Jim Duncan, Bill Miller, Bill George, Red O'Quinn, Bill Gregus, Ray Cicia, Carroll Blackerby
- 1950 â€" Jack Lewis, Bill Miller, Guido Scarton, Jim Staton, Bob Auffarth, Ed Listopad
- 1951 â€" Jack Lewis, Bill Finnance, Dickie Davis, Bill Link, Bill George, Jim Zarkas, Guido Scarton
- 1952 â€" Jack Lewis, Bill Finnance, Joe Koch, Sonny George, Ken Bridges, Bob Gaona
- All ACC selections
- 1953 â€" Bob Bartholomew, Gerald Huth
- 1954 â€" Bob Bartholomew, Ed Stowers, Gerald Huth
- 1955 â€" Bob Bartholomew, Billy Ray Barnes
- 1956 â€" Billy Ray Barnes, Eddie Moore
- 1958 â€" Norm Snead, Pte Manning
- 1959 â€" Norm Snead, Pete Manning, Nick Patella
- 1960 â€" Norm Snead, Wayne Wolff
- 1961 â€" Alan White, Bill Hull, Bill Ruby
- 1964 â€" Brian Piccolo, John Mackovic
- 1965 â€" Joe Carazo
- 1966 â€" Bob Oplinger, Robert Grant
- 1967 â€" Rick Decker, Freddie Summers
- 1968 â€" Digit Laughride
- 1969 â€" Joe Dobner, John Mazalewski
- 1970 â€" Bill Bobbora, Larry Hopkins, Larry Russel, Ed Stetz, Tracy Lounsbury, Win Headley
- 1971 â€" Bill Bobbora, Larry Hopkins, Larry Russel, Ed Stetz, Steve Bowden
- 1972 â€" Chuck Ramsey, Nick Arcaro
- 1973 â€" Chuck Ramsey
- 1975 â€" Bill Armstrong, Clark Gaines
- 1976 â€" Bill Armstrong, Steve Young (TE), James McDougald, Don Cervi
- 1977 â€" Steve Young (TE), Larry Tearry, James McDougald
- 1979 â€" Wayne Baumgardner, Jay Venuto, James McDougald, James Parker
- 1980 â€" Bill Ard, Jay Venuto, Carlos Bradley
- 1981 â€" Phil Denfeld
- 1982 â€" Phil Denfeld, Tim Ryan, Harry Newsome
- 1983 â€" Harry Newsome
- 1984 â€" Gary Baldinger, Ronnie Burgess
- 1985 â€" Gary Baldinger, James Brim
- 1986 â€" James Brim, Tim Morrison, Paul Kiser
- 1987 â€" Mark Young, Jimmie Simmons, A.J. Green (DB)
- 1988 â€" A.J. Green (DB), Martin Bailey
- 1989 â€" Ricky Proehl
- 1990 â€" John Henry Mills
- 1991 â€" John Henry Mills, George Coghill
- 1992 â€" John Henry Mills, George Coghill, Todd Dixon, Ben Coleman
- 1993 â€" Dred Booe
- 1995 â€" Tucker Grace
- 1998 â€" Desmond Clark
- 1999 â€" Dustin Lyman, Morgan Kane, Bryan Ray, Fred Robbins
- 2001 â€" Michael Collins, Tarence Williams, Nate Bolling, Calvin Pace, John Stone, Vince Azzolina
- 2002 â€" Blake Henry, Calvin Pace, Fabian Davis, Tarence Williams, Mark Moroz, Tyson Clabo, Eric King, Quintin Williams, Montique Sharpe
- 2003 â€" Tyson Clabo, Eric King, Ryan Packemeier, Chris Barclay, Mark Moroz
- 2004 â€" Chris Barclay, Ryan Plackemeier, Steve Vallos, Eric King, Jon Abbate
- 2005 â€" Chris Barclay, Ryan Plackemeier, Josh Gattis, Steve Vallos, Jon Abbate
- 2006 â€" Steve Justice, Steve Vallos, Jon Abbate, Josh Gattis, Sam Swank, Riley Skinner, Jyles Tucker, Patrick Ghee, Sam Swank, Chip Vaughn
- 2007 â€" Steve Justice, Kenneth Moore, Alphonso Smith, Josh Adams, Aaron Curry, Sam Swank, Kevin Marrion, Chip Vaughn
- 2008 â€" D.J. Boldin, Aaron Curry, Alphonso Smith, Boo Robinson, Riley Skinner
- 2009 â€" John Russell, Riley Skinner, Marshall Williams, Chris DeGeare, Kenny Okoro
- 2011 â€" Chris Givens, Josh Bush, Joe Looney, Nikita Whitlock, Merrill Noel
- 2012 â€" Michael Campanaro, Nikita Whitlock, Kevin Johnson, A.J. Marshall
- 2013 â€" Nikita Whitlock, Michael Campanaro, Kevin Johnson, Ryan Janvion
The ACC and SoCon All Decade, and the allâ€"conference lists aren't complete. The allâ€"conference lists include selections for 1st team, 2nd team, and honorable mention.
- ACC Male Athlete of the Year
- Brian Piccolo â€" 1965
- ACC Player of the Year
- Billy Ray Barnes â€" 1956
- Brian Piccolo â€" 1964
- Jay Venuto â€" 1979
- Chris Barclay â€" 2005
- Acc Offensive Player of the Year
- Chris Barclay â€" 2005
- Ray Guy Award
- Ryan Plackemeier â€" 2005
- ACC Rookie of the Year
- James McDougald â€" 1976
- Michael Ramseur â€" 1982
- Riley Skinner â€" 2006
- Josh Adams â€" 2007
- ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Josh Adams â€" 2007
- ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Merrill Noel â€" 2011
- ACC Brian Piccolo Award
- Kenny Duckett â€" 1982
- John Piedmonte â€" 1983
- John Lewis â€" 1996
- Matt Robinson â€" 2007
- Butkus Award
- Aaron Curry â€" 2008
- Jacobs Blocking Award
- James Ringgold (SoCon) â€" 1939
- Elmer Barbour (SoCon) â€" 1943
- Nick Ognovich (SoCon) â€" 1945, 1946, 1947
- Paul Kiser (ACC) â€" 1986
- Ben Coleman (ACC) â€" 1992
- Steve Justice (ACC) â€" 2007
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Bill George â€" 1974
Coaches
- ACC Coach of the Year
- Paul Amen â€" 1956, 1959
- Bill Tate â€" 1964
- Cal Stoll â€" 1970
- John Mackovic â€" 1979
- Bill Dooley â€" 1987, 1992
- Jim Grobe â€" 2006
- Walter Camp Coach of the Year
- John Mackovic â€" 1979
- Associated Press Coach of the Year
- Jim Grobe â€" 2006
- Bobby Dodd Award
- Jim Grobe â€" 2006
Other notable players
- Jon Abbate â€" Former NFL linebacker; the central figure in The 5th Quarter, a 2011 feature film on Wake's 2006 season after his brother (Luke Abbate) died in a car accident.
- Richard Burr â€" Current Republican Senator of North Carolina
- Jim Clack â€" Former NFL center who won Super Bowl rings with the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers and also played for the New York Giants
- George Coghill â€" Former NFL defensive back who won backâ€"toâ€"back Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos in 1998 and 1999.
- Charlie Crist â€" Former Republican Governor of Florida
- Aaron Curry (American football) - Former first round pick of the Seattle Seahawks
- Clark Gaines â€" Former NFL running back, holds NFL record for most receptions in a game by a running back (3rd most receptions in a game among all players), and was the first undrafted rookie to rush for over 500 yards in a rookie season; currently serves as Assistant Executive Director of the NFL Players Association.
- Gerry Huth â€" Former NFL offensive guard who won 2 NFL championships (1 with the NY Giants in 1956, and the other with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960)
- Brian Kuklick â€" Former NFL quarterback
- Rusty LaRue â€" Still owns several NCAA passing records
- James MacPherson â€" Quarterback
- Brian Piccolo â€" Former NFL running back, basis for the movie Brian's Song
- Ricky Proehl â€" Former NFL wide receiver who won Super Bowl rings with St. Louis and Indianapolis
- Norm Snead â€" Four time Pro Bowl quarterback.
- Freddie Summers â€" Former NFL defensive back
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of June 1, 2017
References
External links
- Official website