Washington State University Athletics
Staff Directory

Jake Needham
- Title:
- Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Email:
Jake Needham was named the Washington State Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coach, head coach Nathan Choate announced January 10.
Needham joined the Cougars after working the past three seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization as a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach. Needham has programed, planned and administered weightlifting and condition programs for the Twins’ High-A and Double-A affiliates while also assisting with the hydration and recovery programs.
“We are extremely excited with the addition of Jake Needham as our new strength and conditioning coach,” said Choate. “Jake’s experience, specifically with the unique aspects in training athletes in the sport of baseball is going to be an integral part of the development of our student-athletes.”
Prior to joining the Twins organization, Needham spent two seasons as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Midwestern State University working with the softball and golf programs while also assisting with the soccer, track and field, cross country and football teams. Needham has also worked as a strength and conditioning intern at Nebraska (2021) and Colorado State (2020).
Needham played collegiate baseball at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado before earning his bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science at Colorado State in 2020 and his master’s degree in exercise physiology at Midwestern State University in 2022.
Needham is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist, as a functional strength coach, and in CPR/AED.
Needham joined the Cougars after working the past three seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization as a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach. Needham has programed, planned and administered weightlifting and condition programs for the Twins’ High-A and Double-A affiliates while also assisting with the hydration and recovery programs.
“We are extremely excited with the addition of Jake Needham as our new strength and conditioning coach,” said Choate. “Jake’s experience, specifically with the unique aspects in training athletes in the sport of baseball is going to be an integral part of the development of our student-athletes.”
Prior to joining the Twins organization, Needham spent two seasons as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Midwestern State University working with the softball and golf programs while also assisting with the soccer, track and field, cross country and football teams. Needham has also worked as a strength and conditioning intern at Nebraska (2021) and Colorado State (2020).
Needham played collegiate baseball at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado before earning his bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science at Colorado State in 2020 and his master’s degree in exercise physiology at Midwestern State University in 2022.
Needham is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist, as a functional strength coach, and in CPR/AED.
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