Jake Gilbert returns to Wabash College and to Montgomery County with a new role, but with the same, although intensified purpose.
“I come to love, lead and impact others,” he said.
Gilbert returns to campus as Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach. He will take the reins of the Little Giants football program as Head Coach after this season, upon the retirement of current head coach Don Morel.
A career filled with many football successes is supplanted by a lifetime of other experience, and all that means just a little different Jake Gilbert than the one who left the area 13 years ago.
“Each step along the way I’ve learned major things,” he said, “and all of those are part of me now. I think I’m a better culture builder, have a better understanding of leadership, and how to apply that better. What hasn’t changed is my energy, my passion for football, my love for Wabash, God and people.”
A ’98 Wabash grad, where he was All-American once and All-Conference twice, Gilbert went back to his high school, Ben Davis in Indianapolis, as an assistant coach for two years. Next, he was head coach at North Montgomery High School for six years, followed by five years as a Wabash assistant.
Then it was 13 years as head coach at Westfield High School, which included a State Championship and a long list of awards that included multiple Coach of the Year awards, along with being named Westfield Community Volunteer of the Year in 2023.
Now it’s one year as Defensive Coordinator for the Little Giants before getting the keys to the program.
“I’ve got a really good perspective into a long era of great Wabash coaches,” he noted. “I played for Greg Carlson, coached with Chris Creighton and Erik Raeburn, and now will coach with Coach Morel. I know that I have a role in this College to change lives and fulfil the mission of Wabash. I also know that this is a place that allows me to live purposefully. It’s great job for any football coach, but it’s even greater for me. I live to serve the mission of Wabash and to live out mine.”
The experiences of life have added to this coach’s background.
“I’ve been a vice-president of a business,” he said. “I’ve been involved with non-profits. I’ve served on (the Westfield) City Council and was a candidate for Mayor (of Westfield). All that in addition to coaching and raising a family. There have been many opportunities to lead and make an impact. My time at Westfield has grown my capacity to count on various groups of people and lead various groups of people. I’ve learned to be more self-aware and how to ask others to fulfill our role.”
That service role has and will continue to be a big part of how and why he does things.
“I’ve always been a kid person,” he said, “from being a youth pastor through coaching, I still love kids and I’m passionate about football. I just try to work and impact any area that the Lord puts me in. Now that has brought me back to Wabash.”
And that work starts with one of his three staples.
“We work on how to love as a team,” he said. “The family environment is where it starts, and I have always known that we have to be focused on the right things, on God and people. I am more comfortable than ever with my spirituality, with my faith and beliefs, and then to love and lead this team.”
Gilbert has already brought his faith-based message to Montgomery County, with his involvement in the Wabash Christian Men’s Ministry. His involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes goes to the national level. He was the Indiana FCA Coach of the Year in 2017.
“Coming back to Wabash in this role is a dream, really,” he said. “My goal is to have a profound impact on not just the football program, but on the college as a whole, and that includes the entire Crawfordsville and Montgomery County area. I’m so excited to be back and to serve.”
“We are here to out-work and out-love everyone.”
Love, lead and impact.
Welcome back, Coach.
