College Football Fans React To 11-Year Coach Abruptly Stepping Down

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Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson is reportedly stepping down from his post after 11 seasons.

Clawson, 57, posted an overall record of 67-69 with the Demon Deacons. He ended his tenure with back-to-back 4-8 campaigns, but made seven straight bowl games from 2016-22, including a high-water mark of 11-3 in 2021, when Wake Forest reached the ACC Championship Game and won the Gator Bowl.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Clawson, who also had successful stints at Fordham, Richmond and Bowling Green, is stepping away because he “simply felt like it was time.”

“It’s comparable to recent move made by coaches like Virginia’s Tony Bennett and Washington’s Chris Petersen, who stepped away amid a changing era in the sport,” Thamel tweeted.

Clawson’s departure is surprising to some, particularly given the timing, but many are still lining up to wish him well as he moves into an advisory role.

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies 55-52 after the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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“If you know Dave Clawson… this isn’t shocking at all… it’s a whole new world out there. One of the best to do it in Black and Gold,” said former Clemson star and current ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain.

“Dave Clawson had a great run at Wake Forest. That’s a hard job that’s only gotten harder as college football evolves and professionalizes. Clawson’s been an important voice in so many of the sport’s most pressing issues and will be missed,” added NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach.

“Great coach for Wake Forest. Time for a new beginning for the Deacs,” another commenter wrote.

“I hate to read this. Will miss Coach Clawson,” one fan said.

“Great coach, I hate to see him change role, he’s an incredible coach. The best at the Slooooow mesh that gives defenders fits by the forth quarter!” a fifth person chimed in.

Assuming this is the end for Clawson as a head coach, he leaves as the only coach in Division I history to win 10 games in a single season at four different schools.

Overall, Clawson went 157-149 as a head coach, reaching 10 bowl games and making three trips to the FCS playoffs.