Dave Clawson, the former head coach of Wake Forest, received the Gold Medal from the National Football Foundation for his exceptional contributions to football. On June 28, 2025, in Irving, Texas Today, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced that Dave Clawson, who just finished an incredible 11-year career as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons’ head football coach, has been chosen to receive the coveted NFF Gold Medal. This prestigious award, the NFF’s highest honor, honors a remarkable American who has made a substantial contribution to both our country and the game of college football.
In December 2024, Clawson, who has coached for more than thirty years, departed from his post as Wake Forest’s head coach and took a special adviser position in the athletic department. His influence on the Wake Forest program was nothing short of revolutionary, taking a traditionally underperforming program to previously unheard-of levels of steady success. The Demon Deacons had a spectacular comeback under Clawson’s command. From 2016 to 2022, he led the team to seven straight bowl appearances, the longest in Wake Forest history and the second-longest in the ACC. The Deacs tied for fifth place in ACC postseason wins during this time, and they had five bowl victories, the most by any coach in the program’s history.
The highlight of Clawson’s coaching career at Wake Forest came in 2021, when he guided the Demon Deacons to an ACC Atlantic Division championship and a program-record 11-3 season, which included a school-best 7-1 record in ACC play. Both the ACC and the Associated Press rightfully named Clawson the 2021 ACC Coach of the Year for his outstanding efforts. Additionally, his teams accomplished a historic first for the school by finishing in the top 10 nationally in consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022).
Beyond the win-loss record, Clawson cultivated a culture of excellence that extended into the classroom. His teams consistently achieved national recognition for their academic success, embodying the NFF’s commitment to scholar-athletes. Wake Forest, under Clawson, was notably the only school in the country to score at least a 990 on the Academic Progress Report, achieve a high Graduation Success Rate, and participate in a bowl game in seven of his last nine years, all while under the same head coach.
“Dave Clawson embodies everything the National Football Foundation Gold Medal stands for,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “He is not only a brilliant football strategist who consistently got the most out of his teams, but he is also a dedicated mentor who shaped countless young men into leaders of character. His impact on college football, particularly at Wake Forest, is undeniable, and we are proud to honor his extraordinary contributions.”
Clawson’s career boasts a unique distinction: he is the only head coach in NCAA history to win at least 10 games in a single season at four different Division I institutions (Fordham, Richmond, Bowling Green, and Wake Forest), a testament to his consistent ability to build and sustain successful programs.
The NFF Gold Medal has been presented to an elite group of individuals, including U.S. Presidents, corporate CEOs, and military leaders, making Clawson’s selection a profound recognition of his enduring legacy in the sport. His unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation, and the holistic development of student-athletes has left an indelible mark on college football.
Leave a Reply