Primus Wrestling
Jake Lininger
Primus Wrestling Coach
1999 Graduate of Lower Dauphin High School. Qualified twice for PIAA AAA HS State Championships. In 1999, was a PIAA AAA State Runner-up. In doing so, I had the opportunity to be a member of Team Pennsylvania for the Dapper Dan/Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic helping the PA team to a victory over the USA All-Stars. In addition, was selected by InterMat Magazine a HS All-American.
I wrestled collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1999-2002. Was a member of the 2001 Amateur Wrestling News Division I All-Rookie Team. Qualified for the 2002 Division I National Championships in Albany, NY. From there, transferred to the University of Minnesota for the 2002-2003 year. Part of the 2003 Big Ten Team Champions. Lastly, I finished my college career at Shippensburg University in the 2005-2006 year. I was a NCAA Division II Individual All-American taking home 3rd place honors. In addition, I helped my team to their highest finish in school history as we finished 3rd at the NCAA Championships. My career collegiate record was 102-34. In the spring of 2023, I came out of retirement and took 2nd place at the US Open Masters C division.
I transitioned to coaching and was a High School Assistant Coach at Big Spring High School for 2 years, Cumberland Valley High School for 4 years and Lower Dauphin High School for 2 years. During those stints, I was able to coach many state place winners and a state team runner-up. I was also an assistant coach at Shippensburg University for 2 years having coached 3 All-Americans. Currently I am an assistant coach at Messiah University since 2023 and run the Primus Wrestling Club out of Messiah U. Additionally, in the spring/summer of 2025, I was selected as one of the Pennsylvania Woman's National Team coaches for both the Woman's Junior and 16U teams for both the National Duals and US Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo helping both the 16U and Junior Girls to overall team titles.
I live in Dillsburg, PA with my wife Katie and his sons Jackson, Jacob and Judah as well as my daughter Sara.
Having been involved with wrestling as a competitor and coach for over 37 years, I lean on the many positive experiences and life lesson this great sport can provide when engaging with wrestlers of all levels.