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Mike Elko & Warren Ruggiero Named Wake Forest Coordinators

It was officially announced on Monday that Mike Elko will be the new defensive coordinator for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team, while Warren Ruggiero will serve as the new offensive coordinator. Find out more about their resumes.

By Robert Reinhard
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Warren Ruggiero and Mike Elko will join head coach Dave Clawson's staff after spending the previous five years under him at Bowling Green. During their five year tenure they were the only coaching staff in the Mid American Conference to have the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator during that five year stretch.

Ruggiero will provide a much needed spark to a Wake Forest offense which finished 120th nationally in total offense this past season at just 292 yards/game. Ruggiero orchestrated a Bowling Green offense which finished 31st nationally in total offense at nearly 460 yards/game. The Deacons lose four year starting quarterback Tanner Price and star flanker receiver Michael Campanaro, but Wake Forest has some promising young receivers and offensive linemen to build around as well as a potential true freshman starting quarterback in John Wolford. Ruggiero is known as an excellent quarterback's coach and he helped transform Josh Freeman into a first round NFL Draft selection.

Mike Elko will take over a defense which was very solid last season and finished 32nd allowing 366 yards/game. Considering Wake Forest faced offensive juggernauts in Clemson and Florida State, that actually was pretty good. Bowling Green's defense was even more outstanding, though, as they finished 10th in total defense and allowed just 321 yards/game in the pass happy MAC. The Deacons lost star nose tackle Nikita Whitlock among other defensive linemen, but Wake returns a strong secondary and has a lot of depth at linebacker, with some promising young players coming in on the defensive line. I expect our defense to be solid again next season.

If you're so inclined, I would encourage you to follow both Coach Ruggiero and Coach Elko on Twitter.

As of right now we know that Dave Clawson's coaching staff consists of Warren Ruggiero, Mike Elko, Kevin Higgins, and Warren Belin

Blogger So Dear will continue to keep you updated as more coaches are added to the staff.