WFU's Wellman To Retire, Alum Tapped As Next AD

The head of Wake Forest sports is stepping down. Ron Wellman is retiring after more than a quarter-century as the university's athletic director. Wake is turning to one of its own for his replacement.

Wellman took over the Deacons' sports program in 1992 and is the longest-tenured athletic director in Division I. During his time, Wake Forest has seen its teams get more competitive and its facilities grow by significant measure.

"It has been an absolute privilege to spend 27 years at Wake Forest University," Wellman said in a release. "This University has provided myself and my family an outstanding opportunity to develop relationships with so many phenomenal coaches and student-athletes as well as faculty, staff and community members. I have truly enjoyed my time here and I look forward to watching the program continue to grow in the coming years."

Five of Wake Forest's nine team national championships have come under his tenure, including last year's men's tennis team. The football team has won bowl games the last three years in a row.

As for the flagship basketball program, Wellman was at the helm as the Deacons won back-to-back ACC tournament titles in the 1990s and two other teams later reached number one in the rankings. But the program appears to be headed for its seventh losing record since 2010. The ongoing struggles have led some fans to aim their ire not just at the coaches but at Wellman as well.

The University has tapped Wake Forest alumnus John Currie to replace Wellman. He has nine years of experience as an athletic director, most of it at Kansas State. Currie spent much of 2017 at Tennessee before he was suspended in the midst of a football coaching search.

He reached a $2.5 million settlement with the university last year.

"John and I have talked at length about his time as Athletic Director at Tennessee," Wake Forest President Nathan Hatch said. "His abilities as a leader were put to the test through what was clearly a trying period for him personally and professionally. What impressed me was John's resilience and integrity – always putting the needs of the student-athletes first."

Currie will take over as athletic director at Wake Forest May 1.