Wake Forest Hires East Tennessee State Coach Steve Forbes

Wake Forest is finalizing a deal to make Steve Forbes its next head coach, according to Stadium's Jeff Goodman. 

Forbes joins the Demon Deacons after five seasons at East Tennessee State. He tallied 130 wins in five seasons at ETSU, reaching the NCAA tournament in 2016-17. Forbes and the Buccaneers rolled through the Southern Conference at 30–4 in 2019-20, but they did not get to play in the tournament due to the COVID-19 crisis.

"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to be the head men's basketball coach at Wake Forest University," Forbes said in a statement. "Coming to Wake Forest presents an opportunity to be a part of a special brand and a chance to impact our student-athletes' lives in a positive way while competing for championships. My highest priority is spending time and developing relationships with our current student-athletes, alumni and the young men who will make up the future of Demon Deacon Basketball.

Wake Forest has struggled over the last decade. The program has reached the NCAA tournament just once since 2010-11, losing to Kansas State in the first round in 2017. Former head Danny Manning was fired by Wake Forest on April 25 after six seasons with the program. 

The Demon Deacons finished last season at 13–18, 6–14 ACC. They have not reached the Sweet 16 since 2004.