Jake Wissing completed his 15th season with UW-River Falls football in 2025 and his fifth as defensive coordinator, playing a key role in one of the most successful eras in program history. Since 2021, the Falcons have compiled a 44-13 overall record, captured back-to-back Isthmus Bowl titles (2021, 2022), and won the WIAC Championship and NCAA Division III National Championship in 2025. Following a 9-2 season in 2021, Wissing was named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Assistant Coach of the Year.
Wissing’s defense reached historic heights in 2025. The Falcons led the nation with 40 turnovers gained, including 29 interceptions. During WIAC play, UWRF topped the conference in total defense (281.1 yards allowed per game), rushing defense (58.9), and scoring defense (15.7). He mentored D3 Football Huddle and WIAC Player of the Year Gage Timm, a First Team All-American linebacker, as well as WIAC Newcomer of the Year Taylor Sussner. Five defensive players earned All-WIAC honors and three were named All-Region.
Prior to his transition to defensive coordinator, Wissing spent nine seasons (2011-19) as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach while also serving as assistant head coach. During that span, the Falcons averaged nearly 330 yards of total offense per game. The 2019 offense rewrote the program record book, setting single-season marks for total offense (4,407 yards), passing offense (3,252 yards), and first downs (227) while leading the WIAC in total offense. Quarterback Ben Beckman delivered the most prolific passing season in school history, becoming the program’s first 3,000-yard passer. Under Wissing’s guidance, Taylor Edwards rushed for 1,109 yards in 2011, adding to the program’s strong tradition of elite running backs.
Across his career at UWRF, Wissing has coached 46 All-WIAC selections (15 on offense and 31 on defense)Â along with 11 All-Region honorees and two All-Americans - Gage Timm in 2025 and Michael Brown in 2022.
Before arriving at UWRF, Wissing served as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at the University of the South (Sewanee) in 2010, where the Tigers doubled their rushing output to 131 yards per game. He previously coached at DePauw University (2007-09) as offensive line coach and co-recruiting coordinator under current UWRF head coach Matt Walker. The Tigers posted a 23-7 record during his tenure, highlighted by a 2009 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship and the program’s first NCAA Division III playoff appearance. Wissing also held coaching positions at Saint Joseph’s College (2006), Norwich University (2005), and Alfred University (2003-04).
A 2003 graduate of DePauw, Wissing earned his master’s degree from Alfred University in 2005. He resides in River Falls with his wife, Kelsea, and their three daughters, Tennyson, Emerson, and Eleanor.
