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Jake Gilbert

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Jake Gilbert
Bornc. 1976 (age 49–50)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Member of the Westfield City Council
from the 2nd district
In office
January 13, 2020 – January 4, 2024
Preceded bySteve Hoover
Succeeded byVictor McCarty
Personal details
SpouseChristina
Children3
EducationWabash College (BA) Purdue University (MEd)
Coaching career
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamWabash
ConferenceNCAC
Record9–3
Biographical details
Alma materWabash College (1998)
Purdue University (2001)
Playing career
1994–1997Wabash
PositionDefensive tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1998–1999Ben Davis HS (IN) (DL)
2000–2005North Montgomery HS (IN)
2006–2007Wabash (OL)
2008–2010Wabash (DC)
2011–2023Westfield HS (IN)
2024Wabash (Assoc. HC/DC)
2024–presentWabash
Head coaching record
Overall9–3 (college)
133–90 (high school)
Bowls1–1

Jake Gilbert (born c. 1976) is an American college football coach, former high school administrator, and former politician. He is the head football coach for Wabash College, a position he has held since 2024.[1][2][3] He was the head football coach for North Montgomery High School from 2000 to 2005 and Westfield High School from 2011 to 2023.[4][5][6][7] He also coached for Ben Davis High School. He played college football for Wabash as a defensive tackle.[8]

In addition to his coaching career, Gilbert served on the Westfield City Council from 2020 to 2024, getting elected in 2019 as part of an anti-Andy Cook wave. In 2023, he ran for Mayor of Westfield, finishing a close second with 42% of the vote. After his loss, he took his position as the head football coach at Wabash.

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Wabash Little Giants (North Coast Athletic Conference) (2024–present)
2024 Wabash 0–1 0–0 N/A[a] L ForeverLawn
2025 Wabash 9–2 6–2 3rd W ForeverLawn
Wabash: 9–3 6–2
Total: 9–3

High school

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
North Montgomery Chargers (Sagamore Conference) (2000–2005)
2000 North Montgomery 6–5 5–2 3rd
2001 North Montgomery 6–6 4–3 T–4th
2002 North Montgomery 4–7 3–4 T–5th
2003 North Montgomery 7–4 3–4 T–3rd
2004 North Montgomery 5–5 4–3 4th
2005 North Montgomery 2–9 1–6 7th
North Montgomery: 30–36 20–22
Westfield Shamrocks (Hoosier Crossroads Conference) (2011–2023)
2011 Westfield 5–6 4–5 6th
2012 Westfield 3–7 3–6 8th
2013 Westfield 12–2 8–1 T–1st
2014 Westfield 7–5 3–3 T–3rd
2015 Westfield 7–5 2–4 T–4th
2016 Westfield 12–2 8–1 T–1st
2017 Westfield 4–6 2–4 T–4th
2018 Westfield 4–6 3–4 5th
2019 Westfield 6–5 3–4 5th
2020 Westfield 12–2 7–0 1st
2021 Westfield 12–2 7–0 1st
2022 Westfield 8–4 5–2 3rd
2023 Westfield 11–2 6–1 2nd
Westfield: 103–54 61–35
Total: 133–90
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Political career

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Westfield City Council (2020–2024)

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Gilbert was elected to the Westfield City Council in 2019, representing District 2. He defeated Bob Beaudry in the Republican primary with 60.3% of the vote and was unopposed in the general election.[9][10][11] His campaign focused on responsible city growth and building partnerships between schools and the city.[9]

During his term, Gilbert spoke in favor of eventually building a Monon Trail tunnel at 161st Street, while also considering alternative solutions such as a HAWK crossing system.[12][13][14] He also led discussions on conducting a traffic study to examine speed limits at trail crossings.[15]

In 2021, Gilbert lent his support to the Woods, Robinson, Briggs Planned Unit Development.[16]

Gilbert, along with the Council, was involved in discussions about the city's State Road 32 interlocal agreement with the Indiana Department of Transportation. While he supported the project, he disagreed with the Council President that the department was violating the agreement rules.[17]

In late-2022, Gilbert voted in favor of an ordinance establishing term limits for elected officials in Westfield. The ordinance, proposed by Councilman Troy Patton, set a maximum of two four-year terms for the mayor and city council members and three four-year terms for the clerk-treasurer, effective after the 2023 municipal elections. The measure passed the council 5–2, with Gilbert among those supporting it, but faced a veto from Mayor Andy Cook, which the council later overturned with the same 5–2 vote.[18][19]

In February 2023, Gilbert and other council members were involved in discussions surrounding the loss of Bastian Solutions to neighboring Noblesville. While Mayor Andy Cook criticized the council for taking a "no-growth attitude", Gilbert stated that once the council understood Bastian's expansion plans, it acted aggressively and competitively to try to retain the company, though ultimately the project moved to Noblesville.[20]

In July 2023, Gilbert voted in favor of creating a parks board and department in Westfield, but the measure failed 3–4.[21]

2023 campaign for Westfield Mayor

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On January 22, 2023, Jake Gilbert announced his candidacy for mayor of Westfield.[22][23][24][25] He cited a desire to "give back" to the city that had supported him and his family, emphasizing his goal of uniting the city government and improving synergy among different branches of local government.[22][25] Gilbert described himself as "not a politician".[22][23]

Gilbert emphasized his experience as dean of wellness at Westfield High School, president of the Westfield Wellbeing Coalition, and his long record of issuing scholarships, mentoring, and engaging in local service initiatives.[22][24]

Gilbert participated in two debates with his two primary opponents.[26][27] He ultimately finished second in the primary with 42% of the vote losing to fellow Councilman and eventual winner, Scott Willis.[28][29][30][31][32]

Personal life

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Gilbert and his wife, Christina, have three sons: Logan, Jackson,[33] and Tyson.[23][34][35][36] The family previously attended the Westfield campus of Northview Christian Church, where Gilbert volunteered.[35][36][33][23][34]

Notes

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  1. ^ Gilbert assumed head coaching duties following the retirement of Don Morel prior to the team's bowl game.

References

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  1. ^ "Gilbert '98 Returns to Wabash College as Associate Head Football Coach". Wabash College. March 11, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  2. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle (March 11, 2024). "Jake Gilbert steps down as Westfield football coach, will be Wabash coach-in-waiting". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  3. ^ Wallace, Ethan (March 15, 2024). "Gilbert '98 named next head football coach, set to take reins in 2025". The Bachelor. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  4. ^ Carmin, Mike (April 26, 2000). "North Montgomery hires football coach". Journal and Courier. p. 13. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Amidon, Jim (May 8, 2006). "Wabash Names Alumnus to Athletics Staff". Wabash College. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  6. ^ Herrick, John (March 11, 2024). "Jake Gilbert Leaving Westfield to Join Wabash Coaching Staff". 93.1 FM WIBC. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  7. ^ Hall, Richie (March 13, 2024). "Westfield football coach Jake Gilbert bids farewell, Miracle steps up". The Hamilton County Reporter Newspaper. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  8. ^ Wilson, Phillip B. (October 8, 1997). "Mentor and Friend". Indianapolis Star. p. 29. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Contreras, Natalia E. "Challengers topple incumbents in Westfield City Council race". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  10. ^ "Three Westfield council incumbents lose their seats". Indianapolis Business Journal. May 8, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  11. ^ "Hamilton County 2019 General Election Results". secure2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  12. ^ Lange, Kaitlin. "Westfield City Council hits pause on plans for 161st Street Monon tunnel". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  13. ^ Tuohy, John. "Westfield officials shelve $6M Monon Trail tunnel, citing budget pressure and coronavirus". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  14. ^ Skinner, Anna (January 19, 2021). "Help on the way: Westfield council approves HAWK System for Monon crossing at 161st Street". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  15. ^ Skinner, Anna (February 28, 2021). "Westfield considers study to lower speed limits at trail crossings". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  16. ^ Skinner, Anna (March 23, 2021). "Westfield council approves Woods, Robinson, Briggs project, 5-2". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  17. ^ Skinner, Anna (May 10, 2021). "Westfield council president says INDOT breached contract first with Ind. 32 project". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  18. ^ Carloni, Brittany. "Westfield Council approves term limits for elected offices despite concerns over legality". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  19. ^ Carloni, Brittany. "Westfield City Council reverses Mayor Andy Cook's veto on term limits". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  20. ^ Carloni, Brittany. "'No growth attitude': Westfield mayor blasts city council over losing Bastian Solutions". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  21. ^ "Westfield Council rejects parks department and board. What does that mean for the city?". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  22. ^ a b c d Carloni, Brittany. "Westfield football coach, Councilman Jake Gilbert explains why he is running for mayor". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  23. ^ a b c d Reporter, The. "Jake Gilbert, Westfield High School football coach and city councilor, announces campaign for mayor". Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  24. ^ a b "Westfield football coach wants to be city's mayor". wthr.com. January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  25. ^ a b Carloni, Brittany. "'We're dysfunctional': Westfield's government wars with itself as growth explodes". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  26. ^ Carloni, Brittany. "3 takeaways from the Westfield mayoral debate". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  27. ^ "Westfield Mayoral Debate". GZ Module Pages. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  28. ^ Tuohy, John. "Westfield mayor race: Scott Willis wins Republican primary". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  29. ^ Kent, Matthew (May 2, 2023). "Willis wins Republican nomination for Westfield mayor". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  30. ^ Kent, Matthew (July 13, 2023). "Willis set to be next Westfield mayor". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  31. ^ Adams, Amy (November 14, 2023). "Meet the mayor: Scott Willis connects to Westfield's past and its future". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  32. ^ "Election Results, Hamilton County, IN". secure2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  33. ^ a b Ambrogi, Mark (October 3, 2023). "Athlete of the week: Westfield QB makes strong strides in 1st year as starter". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  34. ^ a b Skinner, Anna (January 23, 2022). "Westfield High School football coach Jake Gilbert announces 2023 mayoral bid". Current Publishing. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  35. ^ a b Review, Journal (March 11, 2024). "Gilbert named Associate Coach of Wabash Football". Journal Review. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  36. ^ a b "Jake Gilbert - Football Coach". Wabash College Athletics. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
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