The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team represents Wake Forest University in NCAA Division I college basketball and competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Wake Forest made the Final Four in 1962. Through the years, the program has produced many NBA players, among them are Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, 12× All-Star Chris Paul, 1× All-Star Jeff Teague, Sixth Man of the Year Rodney Rogers, and 1× All-Star Josh Howard. The Demon Deacons have won the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament four times, in 1961, 1962, 1995, and 1996. Wake Forest has appeared in 23 NCAA tournaments, most recently appearing in 2017. The current coach is Steve Forbes, who was hired on April 30, 2020.
History
Dave Odom era (1989–2001) In 1989, Wake Forest would name Dave Odom as its new head coach. During his 12 seasons, Odom led the Demon Deacons to back-to-back ACC men's basketball tournament championship's in 1995 where the team defeated North Carolina and 1996 by defeating Georgia Tech. Tim Duncan would also win back to back-to-back ACC Player of the Year awards in 1996 and 1997.
Skip Prosser era (2001–2007)
Prosser began his career at Wake Forest in 2001 and led the Demon Deacons to the NCAA tournament in each of his first four years there. Prosser is credited for sparking participation in the Wake Forest student Screamin' Demons and increasing attendance with game-time antics, like having the Demon Deacon mascot enter Lawrence Joel on a Harley Davidson and filling the coliseum with Zombie Nation's "Kernkraft 400" at tip-off and when the Deacons would go on a run. During Prosser's tenure as head coach, home season tickets sold out for the first time ever in 2004. During the 2004–05 season, the team was ranked #1 by the Associated Press for the first time in the school's history and won a school-record 27 games. At Wake Forest, Prosser won 100 games faster than all but two ACC coaches. In 2003, his Demon Deacons squad became the first from the ACC to ever lead the nation in rebounding. In the summer of 2007, Prosser had organized what was said to be a top-five recruiting class for the upcoming year.
Every senior whom Prosser coached earned his degree in four years.
Danny Manning era (2014–2020)
On April 8, 2014, Wake Forest announced the hiring of Danny Manning. Despite high expectations entering his first season, the Demon Deacons only finished with a 13–19 overall record and 5–13 record in the ACC. They would lose to Virginia Tech in the first round of the ACC tournament.
In Manning's second season, Wake Forest's 2015 recruiting class added the commitments of John Collins, Bryant Crawford, and Doral Moore. However, Wake Forest would have another disappointing season finishing the year 11–20 on the regular season and a 2–16 overall record in ACC play.
During Manning's third year at helm, despite losing seniors Codi Miller-McIntyre and Devin Thomas, Wake Forest started the 2016–17 season off very strong. Wake Forest entered the 2017 ACC tournament as the 10th seed and defeated Boston College in the first round of the ACC Tournament. On March 8, 2017, Wake Forest lost to Virginia Tech in the second round of the ACC Tournament. The team also earned a bid in the NCAA Tournament. Wake Forest finished 19–14 on the season and 9–9 in ACC play finishing 10th in the standings. Following the 2019–20 season, after six seasons with the team, Manning was relieved of his duties as head coach.
Steve Forbes era (2020–present) On April 30, 2020, Steve Forbes was named as the new head coach for Wake Forest.
Coaches
Current coaching staff
Head Coach – Steve Forbes
Asst. Coach – Jason Shay
Asst. Coach – BJ McKie
Asst. Coach – Brooks Savage
Director of Basketball Operations - Frank Davis
Former head coaches
Danny Manning (2014–2020) Jeff Bzdelik (2010–14) Dino Gaudio (2007–10) Skip Prosser (2001–07) Dave Odom (1989–2001) Bob Staak (1985–89) Carl Tacy (1972–85) Jack McCloskey (1966–72) Jack Murdock (1965–66) Bones McKinney (1957–65) Murray Greason (1933–43, 1945–57; no team in 1944) Fred Emmerson (1931–33) Pat Miller (1928–30) James A. Baldwin (1926–28) R. S. Hayes (1925–26, 1930–31) Hank Garrity (1923–25, simultaneously football coach) Phil Utley (1922–23) James L. White Jr. (1920–21) Bill Holding (1919–20, 1921–22) Irving Carlyle (1918–19) E. T. MacDonnell (1917–18) J. R. Crozier (1906–17)