Jake Dickert’s Journey: From Math Teacher to Power 4 Head Coach

Wake Forest football is entering a new era under Head Coach Jake Dickert, and in this episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, he opens up about the challenges and opportunities that come with leading a Power 4 program.

From his first team meeting to the culture he’s building, Coach Dickert shares what it takes to win in today’s college football landscape.

He talks about the unconventional path that led him to this role, the lessons he’s learned from adversity, and why he believes Wake Forest has what it takes to compete at the highest level. He also dives into the importance of leadership, accountability, and surrounding yourself with the right people—both on and off the field.

This conversation is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the realities of college football coaching, the mindset of a leader, and what’s next for Wake Forest football.

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CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro

3:22 - First thing Coach Dickert wanted to implement at Wake Forest

4:27 - Process of getting the job

6:02 - Getting final phone call for job

7:19 - Alignment at Wake Forest

9:08 - Coach Dickert’s culture

10:49 - Coach Dickert’s journey to Wake Forest

15:09 - Coach Dickert Reflects on career journey

16:05 - Coach Dickert’s support system in his family and wife

17:37 - Number 1 thing Coach Dickert learned about himself during Pac-12 turmoil

18:44 - Traits Dickert looks for in young coaches

21:35 - Toughest job interview in Dickert’s assistant coaching journey

22:42 - Advantages of being defensive-minded head coach

24:47 - 5 Principles of winning games

26:45 - Game management as a head coach

29:11 - Coach Dickert’s daily routine

30:26 - New era of CFB as a head coach from a front office standpoint

34:01 - Being a players' coach and relationships with players in the new era

36:15 - Energy will feel different at Wake Forest

37:02 - Coach Dickert on overcoming adversity

39:04 - Advice Coach Dickert would give himself when taking WSU job

40:29 - Wake Forest football 5 years from now

41:47 - Instilling toughness in his team

43:04 - What Coach Dickert is most excited for in 2025

43:59 - Coach Dickert’s why and what he hopes players say about him

On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.

Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.

Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.