FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Jake Middleton has been named the head coach of the Indiana Tech Esports program, Director of Athletics Jessie Biggs announced.

"Coach Middleton will be an awesome asset to our Esports program." Biggs said. "He brings great excitement about the program and overall experience for our Esports student-athletes.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be the newest Head Esports Coach at Indiana Tech. Indiana Tech's vision and values are strongly aligned with my own. My mission as Head Esports Coach at Indiana Tech is to build a culture of excellence and strong sense of belonging for the esports program, integrate a holistic approach to esports training, and help mentor student-athletes in their competitive, academic, and professional goals, I will use my knowledge and experience to help Indiana Tech's collegiate esports program continue to grow and develop." Middleton said.

The Kansas City native grew up a lifelong gamer, entering the world of esports in 2005, playing competitive Halo. In 2015, Middleton merged his passions for esports and human performance, becoming an early pioneer in the emerging field of esports performance coaching.

Middleton earned his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Missouri State University, and received his Master's in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Western States.

Middleton began his esports coaching career working with amateur esports teams in his local area of Kansas City and went on to work with many professional esports organizations around the world. Some organizations include Counter Logic Gaming, Tundra Esports, Houston Outlaws, Method Guild, INTZ, Seattle Surge, Vancouver Titans, FIFA Esports, and much more.

Middleton has experience coaching players and teams in League of Legends, Overwatch, Dota 2, Valorant, CS:GO, Call of Duty, FIFA, World of Warcraft, Super Smash Bros., Rainbow Six: Seige, PubG, Fortnite, and Rocket League.