Caldwell Announces Football Coaching Staff Changes
Bell to join Indiana staff as defensive coordinator
March 2, 2000
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest head football coach Jim Caldwell
announced the departure of two members of his coaching staff today.
Defensive coordinator James Bell, who has been a member of Caldwell's
staff since 1996, has accepted a position as the defensive coordinator at
Indiana University under head coach Cam Cameron. Bell will also coach the
Hoosiers' secondary unit, as he did at Wake Forest.
"This is an excellent professional opportunity for me," said Bell. "The
Big Ten is a great football conference, and this position will help me
better myself for the future. That's the same reason I came to Wake Forest
four years ago. I have to thank the coaches and administrators at Wake
Forest for their support, and Winston-Salem has been very good to the Bell
family. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for Wake Forest."
In his time at WFU, Bell constructed an aggressive and effective defensive
unit which ranked among the nation's best. In 1997, the Deacons established
an ACC record for single-season improvement, ranking 10th in the nation in
run defense (96.1 ypg). The '98 defense suffered a rash of injuries which
set the Deacs back, but the 1999 unit proved to be Bell's best yet.
Anchoring a team that posted a 7-5 overall record and an Aloha Bowl
victory, the '99 defense ranked among the nation's top 35 in every
statistical category and had three players earn All-ACC accolades.
"James Bell has had a tremendous impact on our football program in his four
years here," said Caldwell. "He has done an excellent job with our
defense, and his hard work obviously played a large part in our recent
success. We will certainly miss him, but we wish him all the best in his
new position."
In addition, Gerald Carr, who joined Wake Forest as wide receivers coach in
1999, has been released from the staff.
The search for replacements for both positions is is currently underway.
