Meet Jake
Faith, Family, Football and a Career at Westfield High School
In 2000, Jake married Christina, the love of his life. Jake and Christina were off and running as Jake was teaching and coaching football at the high school and collegiate level. Jake’s hard work finally landed him at Westfield High School, where Jake has served as the Department Head for both Social Studies and Wellness. Jake taught U.S. Government, Leadership, and Weight Training before being named Dean of Wellness in 2017. In his current role, Jake helps kids discover their passions, principles, and purpose to guide their futures. He also seeks to connect all students to caring adults, healthy peer relationships, clubs and activities, and community involvement in order to multiply investment and positive interactions in their lives. In addition, Jake runs the Freshmen Mentor Program and is in charge of teaching the culture of WHS along with the wellness skills necessary to ensure that our students are ready for life after graduation. As a football coach, Jake works with WYSI to run a youth football program that is modeled throughout the country. USA Football employs Jake to teach football safety and technique throughout the Midwest. The Westfield Middle School programs have gone undefeated several years, and, at the high school, Jake has taken four teams to the State Championship, winning in 2016. Jake was named Indiana Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2016 and was a finalist for National Coach-of-the-Year in 2017. Jake was awarded the Power of Influence Award, which is the highest honor given to high school coaches by the American Football Coaches Association, in both 2020 and 2021.
Westfield Community
Jake has immersed himself in the Westfield Community since arriving in 2011. He currently serves as the President of the Wellbeing Coalition of Westfield and is a board member for the Heart and Soul Free Clinic. Jake is an active volunteer at Northview Church, and has sponsored or supported numerous charities and community organizations including: Young Life, FCA, Student Impact, Open Doors, Youth Assistance Program, Indiana Blood Center, Special Olympics, Opioid Awareness, Teen Suicide Awareness, Habitat for Humanity, Hamilton County Cancer Services, Indiana Women In Need, Relay for Life, Wounded Warriors, the Red Cross, Three Angels, Project Impact Mentoring, and Kids Against Hunger.
Currently, Jake and his wife, Christina, have been married for 21 years. They have three sons: Logan (18), Jackson (16), and Tyson (14). Jake works for Westfield High School as both the Dean of Wellness and Head Football Coach. Christina works for Schaaf CPA. The Gilberts attend the Westfield Campus of Northview Christian Church.
Life Before Westfield
Jake Gilbert’s competitive spirit, commitment to faith and passion for football were forged on the west side of Indianapolis while competing for Ben Davis High School on the Gridiron as a standout football player. Jake’s enthusiasm for football and his hunger for knowledge were no passing interests.
Gilbert went on to earn a degree as a student athlete and honorable mention All-American football player while receiving his degree from Wabash College. Jake then earned a Master’s Degree from Purdue University in Educational Leadership. While a student at Wabash, Jake also found the time to start a mentoring program pairing students with local young people. This started a trend of giving back that has been a hallmark of Jake’s life in his profession and in his community.
