Wake Forest posted the fourth-best improvement among Power 5 football schools this season with four more victories than in 2015. Tuesday, coach Dave Clawson was rewarded for that success with an eight-year contract extension through the 2024 season. After going 3-9 in Clawson’s first two seasons, the Deacons went 7-5 in 2016, including a victory against American Athletic Conference champion Temple in the Military Bowl. The improvement followed a familiar pattern for Clawson, who has earned a reputation for leading similar turnarounds at his three previous stops — Fordham, Richmond and Bowling Green. “The progress shown throughout the program, both on and off the field over the last three years, has been the type of progress we envisioned when Dave came on board,” Wake athletic director Ron Wellman said in a statement announcing the extension. “His energy, talent, integrity and ability to recruit, develop and motivate our student-athletes, have led to our success not only on the field but in the classroom. We have an exciting future with Dave leading our program.” The Deacons’ four-win gain from the previous season was topped only by ACC rival Georgia Tech and Colorado at plus-6 and Washington at plus-5. Wake’s 34-26 win against Temple was its first bowl win in eight years and its first victory against a ranked opponent in five seasons. “I am honored to be offered this long-term contract,” said Clawson. “The future of Wake Forest football is bright and we plan to build on the success of our 2016 season.”
