LAPEL — Jake Stilwell has head coaching experience, but his next head coaching job will be in a different sport.
Stilwell was recently named the next head football coach at Shenandoah High School in Middletown. He had spent the past four years coaching at Lapel High School, where he was the head wrestling coach and an assistant with the Bulldogs football program.

“When I got into coaching, I knew right away (being a head football coach) would be something I would have interest in,” Stilwell said. “Fortunately, with the job at Lapel, I was able to be the head wrestling coach, so I gained a lot of experience doing that.
“I absolutely love football, and it’s been a fun transition so far. It’s going to be a blast to get after it with these kids and see what we’re made of.”
Prior to beginning his coaching career at Lapel, Stilwell was a star on the football field.
He played at Pendleton Heights High School, a 2012 graduate, before moving on to NCAA Division III Hanover College. He was an All-American defensive lineman during his sophomore season with the Panthers and a four-time All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference choice.
Along with leading the wrestling program at Lapel, Stilwell was the football program’s offensive line coach and offensive coordinator. He taught government and geography.
Jordan McCaslin had guided the Raiders for the past four seasons, compiling a 33-14 record. He left to become an assistant coach at Class 6A Hamilton Southeastern. Shenandoah has been one of the state’s top Class 2A programs, along with Lapel.
In April, Shenandoah had announced Matt Miller as the new head coach, but Miller recently left to take a position at his alma mater, Muncie Central.
“As a young coach, there aren’t too many opportunities to take charge of a program that has been successful,” Stilwell said. “Typically, you have start somewhere that needs a little help growing and getting better. Shenandoah is not like that at all. Since I’ve been here in Madison County and growing up, Shenandoah football has always been at the top.
“It was an awesome opportunity to take over a program that has a football tradition and great community feel.”
In fact, very similar to what he’s had the last four years at Lapel.
“That was the hardest part (in making the decision),” Stilwell said on leaving Lapel. “I’ve got to leave behind this great place that has helped me grow the last four years. The wrestling, the football, the teaching, the people in that community, they’re really something special.
“Ultimately, what helped lead me away from there and to Shenandoah was the feeling I got at Shenandoah. It’s the same exact community, same exact feel (I got at Lapel), with a great football tradition.”
The Raiders reached sectional championship games three times in the past four years; two times they met Lapel in the final, with the Bulldogs winning both times. In 2018, Lapel won an exciting overtime thriller, 42-41.
The teams play this coming season Sept. 3 at Lapel, but are not in the same sectional. Shenandoah is in Class 2A, Sectional 38. Lapel is in Class 2A, Sectional 36.
“That will be an interesting game for sure,” Stilwell said. “They know me very well, and I know them very well. It’ll be a fun challenge.
“Lapel has a great football program. There have been some great battles between Lapel and Shenandoah the last couple years. It’s always a game, no matter where you’re at, you got circled and want to see happen. There’s always going to be some great football and exciting times. It will be fun to go over there and have that challenge to see who comes out on top.”
While at Lapel working under head coach Tim Miller, Stilwell was part of teams that had a combined record of 32-16 with two sectional titles and one sectional runner-up finish.
At Shenandoah, Stilwell’s teaching duties will change. He will be in charge of the school’s weight room and teach health classes.