The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have hired Steve Forbes to be their new head coach after the program fired Danny Manning after six years. Forbes was formerly the head coach at East Tennesse State. The search came down to either Forbes or UNC Greensboro head coach Wes Miller. Wake Forest made the decision quickly after the program decided to move on from Danny Manning. While at East Tennesse State he had a coaching record of 130-43 in five years with the program.
BUC Fans! Today was a happy/sad day for me. So happy to be named the HC at Wake Forest & so sad to say goodbye to my TEAM & our FANS. Tears are streaming down my face thinking about all of the wonderful memories we shared together. ETSU will always remain in my heart! #FamilyOn3 pic.twitter.com/BqpkW5XBAJ
— Steve Forbes (@ForbesWakeHoops) May 1, 2020
Forbes is a solid hire for Wake Forest and he has a previous relationship with the program’s athletic director as well. Wake Forest has a unique issue that the majority of programs in high major conferences don’t have to deal with. The Demon Deacons are in a state with three other programs considerably ahead of them in recruiting. Forbes may not be able to fix that problem, but he may be able to perform better with the talent he does bring in to Wake Forest.
The hope is that Forbes can return the Demon Deacons to a competitive level in the ACC. Danny Manning had only led the Demon Deacons to one winning record in his six years there. It could take a few years, but Forbes is expected to perform better than that mark. The likely candidate to replace Forbes at East Tennesse State seems to be his top assistant with the program, Jason Shay.
