By Field Level Media
Oct 18 (Field Level Media) – Wake Forest has placed longtime baseball coach Tom Walter on leave, the university confirmed.
The school issued a statement Saturday after Wake Forest-centered site Demon Deacons Digest reported the news. No reason for the move has been disclosed.
“Wake Forest baseball head coach Tom Walter is on leave effective October 14, 2026,” spokesperson Ryan Madden told the outlet. “Additional information will be shared when it becomes appropriate. In accordance with University policy Wake Forest Athletics will have no further comment at this time.”
Eric Niesen, an assistant coach on the pitching side, currently is in charge of the program, with an assist from administrator Craig Zakrzewski. Before returning to his alma mater as a coach before the 2026 season, Niesen served as director of pitching for the Houston Astros.
Walter began as the Demon Deacons’ head coach in June 2009. The program made a fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2026 and reached the Men’s College World Series in 2023.
Chase Burns, Nick Kurtz, Gavin Sheets and Rhett Lowder are among the current major leaguers to have played for Walter.
Walter was in the news in June 2025 after he appeared to utter a homophobic slur as his team lost to Tennessee in the NCAA Knoxville Regional. Video of the incident spread, and Walter apologized the next day. Athletic director John Currie called the conduct “disappointing” in a public rebuke.
Walter has 536 career wins at Wake Forest. He owns a career record of 964-738-1 that includes his years as head coach at George Washington (1997-2004) and New Orleans (2005-09). He became the seventh coach to lead three programs to the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level.
(–Field Level Media)
