Jake Gilbert never intended to leave Westfield as a football coach, but an opportunity presented itself he couldn't turn down.
Gilbert, 47, accepted the associate head coaching position at Wabash College on Monday. After the season, he will take over as head coach, replacing Don Morrell, who has coached Wabash since 2016. “He wouldn't have been interested in any other position,” said Gilbert, a Wabash graduate.
“About two weeks ago, they came to me with the idea of being the defensive coordinator and standby coach,” Gilbert said. “Then when Coach Morrell retires at the end of the season, I'm going to take his place. I love this school and what it stands for. It's a great opportunity.”
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But that doesn't mean I came up with it without thinking about it. Gilbert said he believes Westfield's coaching job is “without a doubt the best job in the state and it's getting better all the time.” Gilbert had a 103-54 record in his 13 seasons leading the program, leading the Shamrocks to a Class 5A state championship, a 5A runner-up and two 6A state final appearances.
“I love them,” Gilbert said of Westfield’s staff and program. “The staff remains except for me, and the team returns a large amount of talent. “I have high expectations for the Rocks moving forward.”
Planning is already underway for Gilbert's replacement. Josh Miracle, Gilbert's assistant for the past 13 years, will succeed Gilbert. Miracle has served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator for the past 10 years and was named the Frank Broyles Award recipient last season, given to Indiana's top assistant.
“Josh is going to do a great job,” Gilbert said. “Some of our staff members have been with us for a long time, so long-term service will help us move forward.”
Westfield went 11-2 last season and reached Class 6A semistate, but lost in double overtime to Crown Point. After winning the 5A state title in 2016, Gilbert led the Shamrocks to the 6A state finals in 2020 and 2021, losing to Center Grove both years.
“Jake has built one of the top high school programs in the state,” Westfield Athletic Director Andy Tebe said. “What he has accomplished on the field is only greater than what he has accomplished in our building and in our community. Jake has always been a “rock” and we look forward to watching him thrive in his new role at Wabash College. ”
Gilbert, who graduated from Wabash in 1998, ran for mayor of Westfield last year. He was an assistant at Wabash from 2006 to 2011. His stint there was between his high school coaching jobs at North Montgomery (2000-2005) and Westfield. Gilbert said he enjoys the role of “builder” and that he believes it will serve him well in his new role.
“I’m grateful to Coach Morrell for giving me this idea,” Gilbert said. “Most companies don't want to have two types of CEOs, but Coach Morrell is very humble and wants what's best for the program, which is stability. It's a selfish move. I never received any other offers, but I felt this would be a great situation. I feel I have to serve this school, which has taught me so many skills that I can utilize in life. ”
Miracle also coached the boys and girls track and field teams at Westfield for the past 12 seasons and also played soccer at Hobart and Wabash.
“Hiring a new football coach is probably one of the more daunting tasks an athletic director has to take on,” Tebe said. “But in this case, it was a very easy decision to recommend Josh Miracle to lead the Rocks. …We have known for several years that when the time came, the next head coach of Westfield football would join our stable. I knew it was there.”
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenlieb at (317) 444-6649.
