[Riddell]

ESPN NEWS - Breaking: Wake Forest Hires Jacksonville Jaguars Coach and former FSU QB Chris Riddell as new Head Coach
Chris Low
January 10th, 2012

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Today, at a Press Conference outside Groves Stadium, Athletic Director Ron Wellman announced Christian Rudolph Riddell as Wake Forest's 32nd Head Coach in Program history.

Riddell, 35, who most recently as the Jacksonville Jaguars Assistant Head Coach and Quarterback's Coach, made a short statement with his wife Eve at his side. "It's a great honor to have been announced to serve as the head coach of this football team. I have tremendous respect for this program, and it's history. It's my hope that under my tenure we can write new history here as well."

Wake Forest fans and many other ACC fans may know of Riddell for other reasons however. Riddell played as FSU's backup Q.B. from 1997 until 1998 after North Carolina A&T. Riddell's has earned praise from his colleagues, especially from the last nine years, when Riddell was coaching. Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden called Riddell "An ********* player and coach who will honorably lead Wake Forest." Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban, who Riddell served under from 2008-2010 as a Quarterback coach said, "Simply put, Chris Riddell is the guy you want leading any football program."

It appears Riddell as his work cut out for him. Wake Forest is set to face top ranked Notre Dame, Clemson, and Florida State, as well as other top programs. Wake Forrest also had one of the worst recruiting years of a Power 5 program, finishing 70th ranked by rivals.com. However, Riddell doesn't see it that way, saying, "Simply, we can win games. We can make the conference championship. We can have a top 5 recruiting class." Time will tell if Riddell is blowing smoke, or will build the next great college football dynasty.