Transitions from Grad to Coaching to Athletic Administration
Jackson Kaplan, Staff Writer
Wingate, N.C.—-Previous Wingate University assistant football coach Max Wolfe began his first year as a member of the WU Athletic Administrative team in the fall of 2016. Wolfe spent the 2015 Bulldog football season on head coach Joe Reich‘s staff as an assistant coach.
“The transition has been pretty seamless for me,” Wolfe says. “Thankfully with knowing everyone in the athletic department, it has made the transition much smoother. Michelle Caddigan and Courtney Callahan have been there to help me and have my back. It has really helped me out.”
Wolfe currently serves as the Administrative Assistant for Athletic Business Operations in the Wingate athletic department. The transition was not an easy choice for Wolfe to leave the game of football, but felt it was the best decision to move on to his next endeavor.
“I left football back in March right after the recruiting period,” Wolfe says. “After that, I hung around for a little while and could not figure out what I wanted to do. Then, the administration job opened up and I spoke with Michelle Caddigan about it. I felt like it was the best fit for me and a way to get my first start in this business. The athletic administration is something which has always interested me. This was a terrific opportunity for me to get some experience and be able to remain at Wingate.”
Wolfe is a 2015 graduate of Wingate University with a Criminal Justice major. He spent four seasons as a student assistant coach for the Bulldog football team. During this period, Wingate won a combined 20 games and the ‘Dogs finished with a 6-5 overall record in the 2015 campaign when Wolfe was a member of the full-time staff. Wolfe reminisces on his time with the football program and he remembers the moments which made his job special.
“My favorite memory as a coach was beating the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears last season at their place,” Wolfe says. “It was one of the best wins I have ever had the chance to experience; however, I think all of my experiences in football whether good or bad were positive to me in some way. Being a member of the football coaching staff helped me grow as a person and allowed me to gain valuable experience. I started out as an equipment manager and then worked my way up as an assistant coach after I graduated. Coach Reich has been an amazing person to me. He has always had my back and I will always have his as well.”
Prior to joining the Bulldog family, Wolfe attended Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia. While in high school, he gained early experience as a part of an athletic administrative team when he served as a student assistant to the athletic director Terry Radford. Wolfe continued to display his impressive versatility when he was selected to be a student athletic trainer for the 2011 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, a high school football all-star game held in Charlotte showcasing the top scholastic talent from North and South Carolina.
Wolfe has also previously taken on another vital role at Wingate University when he served as a Campus Safety officer. His multiple experiences through football and in the Wingate community leaves the Bulldog Athletic Administration in very capable hands for years to come.
“My ultimate goal is to stay here at Wingate,” Wolfe says. “Having the chance to work in athletics is a dream come true for me. I would love to stay here, while working my way up the administrative ladder by gaining more responsibilities and opportunities. I love Wingate University and I want to be here as long as I possibly can.”
Edited by: Sara Gunter
Wingate Triangle 