COACHING STAFF
Jake Hill | Head Boys Coach
Coach Hill is entering his 10th season as the Head Coach at Kearney High School and his 18th season coaching wrestling overall. Kearney Wrestling has finished in the top 10 each season at state including 1 team State Championship and 5 team trophies in total during Coach Hill’s tenure as Head Coach. Coach Hill was the recipient of the Class 3 District 4 State coach of the year for the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2024 seasons and the Class 3 State Coach of the Year for 2018 season from the Missouri Wrestling Association.
Coach Hill is originally from Lee’s Summit, MO where he competed in wrestling, football, and baseball for the LSHS Tigers. He was a four-year Varsity letter winner for the wrestling team. Coach Hill’s senior year he received 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Area, and Academic All-State Honors, as well as finishing in 3rd place at the Class 4 State Championships at 160lbs. Coach Hill received a wrestling scholarship to attend Missouri Baptist University. He transferred to University of Missouri-St. Louis where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. He also holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Missouri Baptist and a Specialist in Administration from William Woods University.
Coach Hill teaches Business & Technology classes at KHS. He lives with his wife Jacque and five children Ryker, Reese, Beau, Annie, and Baker in Kearney.
Nick Ward | Head Girls Coach
Coach Ward began his teaching career in 2006, and over the years, he has held various roles within the field of education. His experience includes teaching physical education and health, working with at-risk students, and instructing history and government classes. A proud Northwest Missouri State University alumnus, Coach Ward holds physical education and social studies certificates. He continued his educational journey by earning a Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from William Woods University. Coach Ward is pursuing an advanced degree in Positive Psychology at the University of Missouri. Before entering the education field, Coach Ward served with distinction in the Missouri Army National Guard, achieving the rank of sergeant and earning the prestigious air assault badge. His military service included being a 13B cannon crewmember and retention and recruiting NCO for the Kansas City Area.
In his current role as the Government teacher and wrestling coach at Kearney High School, Coach Ward has made an indelible mark. As a member of the Boy’s staff from 2013 to 2020, the wrestling program at Kearney High School has achieved remarkable success, producing multiple state champions, All-Americans, and state trophy-winning teams, including a team championship in 2018. His contributions to the sport have not gone unnoticed, as he has twice been selected as the District Assistant Coach of the Year. He was also honored as the Class 3 State Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2020, Coach Ward was instrumental in adding a Girl's Wrestling program at KHS. Adding to his impressive coaching career, Coach Ward secured the Girls State Championship title in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, Coach Ward's contributions to the sport and his positive influence on athletes earned him the MWA Class 1 Coach of the Year award (2023 and 2024) and the prestigious NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) Missouri State Coach of the Year award (2023).
Before his tenure at Kearney, Coach Ward's coaching career has taken him to various locations, including Plattsburg, Versailles, and Lathrop. A native of Marceline, MO, Coach Ward was a standout varsity athlete in football, wrestling, and track & field. His wrestling achievements include being a four-year varsity letter winner for the Tiger Wrestling Team, a 3x District Champion, 2x Sectional Champion, 3x State Qualifier, and a State Finalist at 125lbs.
Coach Ward enjoys the outdoors, quality family time, and watching sporting events in his leisure time. He resides in Plattsburg, Missouri, and his daughter, Alex, attends PNCA in Portland, OR.