Jake Laden joined the Life University Wrestling staff ahead of the 2024–25 season and made an immediate impact in his first year, helping guide the Running Eagles to an NAIA National Runner-Up finish and a National Duals Runner-Up finish. Life produced 10 NAIA All-Americans and two individual National Champions: Jesse Perez and Thaddeus Long. Perez finished the season undefeated (29–0), earned NAIA National Wrestler of the Year, and added offseason All-American honors with a runner-up finish in Greco-Roman and fifth place in Freestyle at the 2025 U23 World Team Trials.
Before coming to Life U, Laden served four seasons as Associate Head Coach at Ottawa University, where he helped elevate the program into a consistent national contender. During his tenure, Ottawa claimed five consecutive KCAC team titles, produced 37 national qualifiers, and earned five NAIA All-American honors.
Laden’s coaching career began at Grand View University, where he spent three years as a graduate assistant. While there, the program secured three NAIA National Championships, and he was instrumental in developing 33 All-Americans and seven individual National Champions.
As a competitor, Laden began his collegiate career with a 4th-place finish at the 2012 NJCAA Championships, followed by a 4th-place finish at the Greco-Roman 2016 University Nationals, and capped it off as a 2017 NAIA All-American, placing 3rd at the NAIA Championships. Over the course of his career, he was also part of three NAIA national championship teams and three national dual team titles.
Originally from Butte, Montana, Laden later moved to Washington State, where he attended University High School in Spokane Valley. He was a high school All-American, placed 3rd in the state as a junior, and became a state champion as a senior. His team also captured the 2010 Washington state team title during his high school career.
Laden holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services (2017) and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (2019) from Grand View University. He is also a 2019 graduate of the FCA Coaches Academy. In 2022, he was inducted into the Iowa National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Dan Gable Museum as part of Grand View’s 2017 National Championship Team.
Beyond coaching, Laden plays a key role in recruiting, athlete development, camps, and academic support, while actively promoting the team’s “Lucha lifestyle”—a culture centered on discipline, growth, and the relentless pursuit of becoming better individuals in every aspect of life.
Outside of wrestling, Laden is a proud husband and father. He and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Miriella and Louie, along with their beloved French Bulldog, Juicy.
