According to a release from Wake Forest, the program has fired defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel. There are additional personnel moves, too: Wake Forest will also promote Tom Gilmore — currently a defensive analyst to coach outside linebackers.
Wake Forest defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel has been fired
("relieved of his duties" is the nice way the release words it).
— Conor O'Neill (@ConorONeillWSJ) September 23, 2018
Sawvel was brought in after Mike Elko left for Notre Dame following the 2016 season. Last season, Wake allowed 271.5 pass yards per game — No. 119 in the FBS — and ranked 106th nationally in scoring defense.
These decisions come after back-to-back losses for Wake Forest — home defeats against Boston College and Notre Dame. In those two losses, Wake has allowed a combined 97 points, 629 pass yards, 461 rush yards and 14 touchdowns.
Clawson on the decision:
“This was a difficult decision and not a spur of the moment decision. I want to thank Coach Sawvel for all his hard work with our football program over the last two years. Coach Sawvel is a very good person and a good football coach.”