Danny and the Miracles?
Wake Forest Head Coach Danny Manning
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
When Wake Forest University hired Head Coach Danny Manning in 2014 both sides knew it was heavy undertaking and quite the rebuilding job. Wake Forest is a very unique situation that requires very unique coaches to succeed at the private school located in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake is one of the more prestigious academic schools in the country and is the smallest school by population in the Power 5 on top of that the Demon Deacons play basketball in the most stacked conference in america, the ACC. The Demon Deacons are often overshadowed by Tobacco Road brethren North Carolina, Duke, and NC State as all three have one National titles in the last 35 years, this isn't to say that the Deacs area doormat as the likes of Chris Paul and Tim Duncan have worn the Gold and Black but after the tumultuous tenure of Jeff Bzdelik there was a clear need for a culture change. The change came in giant fashion as the 6 foot 10 former Page High star took the reins of the Demon Deacons back in the spring of 2014. After two trying years in which he got his footing in Winston-Salem the Deacons were primed for a postseason trip in Mannings third year at the helm. The Deacons who have not been to the postseason since the Dino Gaudio era are fighting there way through a tough ACC slate right now but have shown improvement over Mannings first two seasons. After Saturdays 30 point win over Tobacco Road rival NC State at the Joel the Deacons sit at 15-10 on the year with opportunities to improve left in the schedule. Though many would say that a 15-10 record isn't all that impressive this team is finding ways to win and is not being bullied around anymore as the Deacs have close losses to UNC, Duke, Cuse, Virginia and Notre Dame. This team is showing flashes of success and that has to build excitement around the program. Whats left know is for the Deacons to pick up a couple more conference wins and head into the ACC tournament with momentum. Something Deacon fans can look forward too is baring major collapse the Deacons will not play in the first four of the ACC tournament. So maybe its not a miracle season but it is an improvement and something that Manning will continue to build off of.
