One of the radio announcers for the Wake Forest football team, Tommy Elrod, has been spying on the team and providing opponents with confidential team info since 2014, according to the unbelievable findings of an internal investigation conducted by the University.
Following Wake Forest's 44-12 loss to Louisville on November 12th, staff members found materials on the Cardinals' sideline which indicated they were well prepared for plays that the Demon Deacons had never even run before. Louisville's head coach Bobby Petrino said he had no knowledge of the situation but Wake Forest's Dave Clawson was convinced that there was a mole in their organization, hence the investigation.
Per USA Today:
"Based on emails, text messages and phone records,” the university said in a statement, Elrod “provided or attempted to provide confidential and proprietary game preparation on multiple occasions” beginning in 2014, when Elrod was hired as an analyst on the Wake Forest IMG Radio Network."
“No members of the Wake Forest athletic department, football staff or players were involved in any way in these actions,” the university said.
Elrod has been fired by the radio network and banned from Wake Forest’s athletic department and facilities.
Head coach Dave Clawson issued the following statement:
"I am extremely disappointed that our confidential and proprietary game preparation was compromised. It’s incomprehensible that a former Wake Forest student-athlete, graduate-assistant, full-time football coach, and current radio analyst for the school, would betray his alma mater. We allowed him to have full access to our players, team functions, film room, and practices. He violated our trust which negatively impacted our entire program. I am glad we have taken steps to ensure it will not happen in the future. At this point, this is a matter for Ron Wellman and others to act on. My staff and I are focused on Temple and preparing the team for the Military Bowl."
Athletic director Ron Wellman added this after the University's findings:
“I have known Tommy Elrod since his days as a player on our football team. I’m deeply disappointed that he would act against Wake Forest, our football team and our fans in such a harmful manner by compromising confidential game preparation information.
“It is a relief that the team can move forward without his actions further undermining the positive strides Dave Clawson, his staff and the team have made.”
Wake Forest will take on Temple in the Military Bowl on December 27th, marking their first bowl game since 2011.
