Jake Koolbeck

Coe College Softball head coach Jake Koolbeck has been with the Kohawk softball program since 2015, serving as an assistant coach for seven seasons before being promoted prior to the 2023 season. Koolbeck and his staff made an immediate impact, leading Coe to its second-best finish at the NCAA Tournament, finishing third at the 2023 DIII National Championships in Marshall, Texas. This past season they went 34-11 and reached the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament.

In 2024, Koolbeck guided the Kohawks to their first conference tournament championship since 2009 beating Central 5-3 to receive the AQ for the NCAA tournament. Coe would sweep their way through the Greencastle regional before falling to Case Western Reserve in the Super Regional. The Kohawks finished the season ranked 16th in the Nation.

Six Kohawks were named all-conference following the 2024 season with Ruby Kappeler being named the Position Player of the Year. Heather Boeckenstedt added to the awards for Koolbeck’s team, earning a spot on the NFCA All-American team. Boeckenstedt was joined by four others on the All-Region team.

In 2023, the Kohawks won their opening two games against second-seeded Linfield and sixth-seeded Rowan before falling to eventual National Champion Trine. Coe was 39-11 during the year, recording the third-most wins in program history. In addition, Koolbeck’s team won the American Rivers Conference Championship regular season title with a mark of 13-3. In his first season as head coach, Koolbeck’s team finished 19th in the NCAA in winning percentage and inside the top 30 in Home Runs (9th), WHIP (22nd), Runs (28th) and ERA (30th).

Seven Kohawks were named all-conference following the 2023 season while Koolbeck and his staff were named the A-R-C Coaching Staff of the Year. Ellie Thurow added to the awards for Koolbeck’s team, earning a spot on the NFCA All-Region team. Following the conclusion of the season, Coach Koolbeck and his staff were named the NFCA Region IX Staff of the Year for the first time in Coe Softball history.

Prior to taking over as the head coach at Coe, Koolbeck held numerous coaching positions at local-area high schools. From 2010-2017, Jake directed the Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School spring program and also served as a varsity assistant at Solon and Clear Creek Amana. In 2018, Koolbeck became the head coach at Regina Catholic High School in Iowa City, leading the Regals to a second-place finish at the Iowa High School State Tournament in 2018. Following his stint at Regina, Koolbeck was a varsity assistant for Kennedy High School where he helped the Cougars win the 2020 State Championship. Koolbeck served as the top assistant at Coe since 2017 before stepping into the head coaching position. Jake graduated from Coe College in 2017 with a degree in Physical Education and Fitness Development.