COACHING STAFF
Jake Hill | Head Boys Coach
Coach Hill is entering his 11th season as the Boys’ Head Wrestling Coach at Kearney High School and his 19th season coaching wrestling overall. Under his leadership, Kearney Wrestling has placed in the top 10 at the state tournament every season, earning one team state championship and six team trophies during his tenure. He has been recognized as Class 3, District 4 Coach of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2024, and was named the Missouri Wrestling Association’s Class 3 State Coach of the Year in 2018.
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Originally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Coach Hill competed in wrestling, football, and baseball for the LSHS Tigers. He was a four-year varsity letterman in wrestling, and as a senior, he earned First Team All-District, All-Conference, and All-Area honors, as well as Academic All-State recognition. He capped off his high school career with a third-place finish at the Class 4 State Championships at 160 lbs.
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Coach Hill began his collegiate career on a wrestling scholarship at Missouri Baptist University before transferring to the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. He later completed a Master of Arts in Teaching from Missouri Baptist University and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from William Woods University.
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In addition to coaching, Coach Hill teaches Business and Technology classes at Kearney High School. He lives in Kearney with his wife, Jacque, and their five children: Ryker, Reese, Beau, Annie, and Baker.
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.