Jess Wilder was born in Tallahassee, Florida, the son of the late Beverly Simms and Joe and Joan Wilder. He has three siblings, Carl Wilder, Yvonne Kelly and Elizabeth Wilder.
Wilder earned All-State Wrestling honors at Palm Bay High School in Melbourne, Florida. Following high school, he wrestled for UNC Pembroke before transferring to Carson-Newman and finished his career as an Espoir All-American and a three-time NCAA Division II National Qualifier. Wilder earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Carson Newman College. Wilder furthered his education at Lincoln Memorial University with the completion of a specialist degree in Administrative Leadership.
University of the Cumberlands hired Jess Wilder as the first men's coach of the newly developed wrestling program in 1996. Shortly after, he launched the women's wrestling program at UC and was the first coach. His coaching career from 1996 through 2005 compiled an amazing dual career record of 84-15. Wilder was named 1996 Rookie Coach of the Year, 1997 NCCAA Coach of the Year and 1998 MSC Coach of the Year.
His coaching leadership while at UC inspired multiple athletes to achieve national championships and the following wrestling honors:
- 1 All American in 1996-97
- 4 All Americans in 1997-1998
- 4 All Americans in 1998-1999
- 6 All Americans in 1999-2000
- 8 All Americans in 2000-2001
- 4 All Americans in 2001-2002
- 4 All Americans in 2002-2003
- 4 All Americans in 2003-2004
- 6 All Americans in 2005-2006
- 41 All American wrestlers in his career
- 5 National Champions
- 7 Consecutive Top 10 National Finishes
- NAIA 3rd Place Team Placement in his last year of 2006
Wilder is currently Head Wrestling Coach at Camden County High School in Kingsland, Georgia, where he has won five Georgia State Championships since leaving UC. He was named Coach of the Year for the State of Georgia in 2012. He teaches Health and Physical Education at Camden County High School. Wilder and his wife Elizabeth reside in Kingsland, Georgia with their three children, Raydan, Yasmine, and Ryder.
