FROM HATCH:
Dear Wake Will Volunteers,
Earlier this afternoon, Jeff [Redacted] resigned as Wake Forest’s head basketball coach. Over the past four years, Coach [Redacted] built a solid foundation at Wake Forest and I am grateful for his contributions to our program.
I expect the head coaching position will be attractive to many highly qualified candidates. Athletics Director Ron Wellman will engage the appropriate Wake Forest leaders to ensure candidates recognize the University’s commitment to a successful basketball program. I will be an active participant in the search.
Our communications team has prepared the following talking points for you to use should you receive questions from friends or colleagues.
Warmest regards,
Nathan
Talking Points:
During an annual review of the program with Ron Wellman, Coach [Redacted] stated that he felt a positive environment would be most beneficial to the program. He voluntarily submitted his resignation effective immediately.
We are most appreciative of all the efforts that Jeff and his staff have put forth over the last four years.
Every decision that Jeff [Redacted] has made over his tenure has been for the long-term benefit of the program and the University.
On the court, our team has shown steady improvement over the last four years. We have seen flashes of excellent play from this past year’s team, now we need to be able to sustain that level of play on a consistent basis.
Our goal remains to compete for the ACC Championship and reach postseason play each year.
We are very pleased with the caliber of student-athlete in our program and that is a credit to Jeff and his staff. The team’s grade point average is as high as it has been since we began keeping track in 1989.
We expect our new coach will find a solid foundation upon which championship caliber teams can flourish.
A national search for Wake Forest’s next head coach will begin immediately. There is no timeline for hiring a replacement as many of our candidates are participating in postseason play.
Potential Questions & Answers:
Q. What improvements did Jeff [Redacted] make during his time here?
A. Jeff’s four years produced many positive results. He has recruited very good people, both players and staff, to Wake Forest. He has had high expectations, both on and off the court, of everyone associated with our program. The team has shown improvement on the court and posted a winning record this year. Off the court, the team grade point average is at its highest point since we started tracking that statistic in 1989.
Q. When will the new coach be in place?
A. Most of the candidates that we will be speaking with will be involved in postseason play. As they become available, contact will be made with the coach or their representative. We do not want to contact any coach prior to the end of their season so as not to impact their postseason experience.
Q. Who will conduct the search?
A. Ron Wellman will engage national basketball leaders to identify the very best candidates. Appropriate University leaders will also be a part of the search process. President Hatch will be an active participant in the search, as well.
Q. What are the reasons to be optimistic about the future of Wake Forest basketball?
A. There are a number of reasons to be optimistic. First, the team will return the bulk of its roster from this past season. We will return 70 percent of our scoring and 70 percent of our rebounding. We have commitments from two outstanding freshmen. And Daniel Green and Greg McClinton, each of whom missed this past season due to injury, should be healthy and ready to contribute.
Q. How do facilities factor into the new coaching search?
A. With our acquisition of the Coliseum, and the impending construction of the Sports Performance Center, we will own our two most important buildings in recruiting both a new coach and prospective student-athletes. In conjunction with the Budd Gym in the Miller Center, our facilities will help in attracting the new coach.
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