BELOIT, OHIO – West Branch High School is proud to congratulate Jason Candle, Class of 1998, on being named the head football coach at the University of Connecticut.

Candle brings an impressive résumé to Storrs after a decade of success as the head coach at Toledo. From 2015-2025, Candle compiled an 81-44 record with the Rockets, including three bowl victories, two MAC championships, and two MAC Coach of the Year awards. He never posted a losing season during his tenure, cementing his reputation as one of the top coaches in the Mid-American Conference.

Before his coaching success, Candle was a standout wide receiver who earned his place in West Branch football history. As a Warrior, he played on the 1997 team that reached the OHSAA state football Final Four. After graduating from West Branch in 1998, Candle attended Geneva College for two years before transferring to Mount Union, where he earned First-Team All-OAC honors as a wide receiver in 2001.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Candle was inducted into the West Branch Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

The West Branch community congratulates Coach Candle and wishes him continued success at UConn.