Wake Forest has fired Tommy Elrod for a second time in three years, this time as a color man for the IMG Radio Network, after learning he was providing opposing coaches with game plan information.The firing comes after an investigation started following the Nov. 12 loss to Louisville in which the Demon Deacons game plan was discovered. According to a Wake Forest release, Elrod will “no longer broadcast Wake Forest football games and has been banned from Wake Forest athletics and its facilities.” Elrod served as an assistant coach for the football team under Jim Grobe for 11 seasons and graduated from Wake in 1997. When current head coach Dave Clawson took over, Elrod was not retained and took a position with the IMG Radio Network as a color commentator.”I am extremely disappointed that our confidential and proprietary game preparation was compromised,” Clawson said. “It’s incomprehensible that a former Wake Forest student-athlete, graduate assistant, full-time football coach and current radio analyst for the school would betray his alma mater.”The press release noted that based on emails, text messages and phone records, Elrod attempted to provide confidential and proprietary game preparations on multiple occasions. Wake Forest also noted that no members of the athletic department, football staff or players were found to be involved.”I have known Tommy Elrod since his days as a player on our football team,” Wake Athletics Director Ron Wellman said. “I’m deeply disappointed that he would act against Wake Forest, our football team and our fans in such a harmful manner by compromising confidential game preparation information. “It is a relief that the team can move forward without his actions further undermining the positive strides Dave Clawson, his staff and the team have made.”Despite the opposing team knowing the game plan, Clawson’s team still finished 6-6 and will head to a bowl game for the first time since 2011. With the distraction behind them, Clawson can take on Temple with the peace of mind that only his coaches and players will know the play he’s about to call every snap.
