What Happened to Benjamin "Coach" Wade?

Benjamin "Coach" Wade, born September 18, 1971, first rose to prominence as a contestant on the CBS reality competition series 'Survivor'. Before his reality TV fame, Wade had a diverse background, growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and pursuing a musical career as a trumpet player, performing with orchestras like the Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra and the New York Metropolitan Opera. He also held a master's degree in music education from the University of Nevada and was a collegiate soccer coach for over two decades, leading teams at Simpson University, Lassen Community College, and Lake Tahoe Community College.

Wade made his 'Survivor' debut in 2009 on 'Survivor: Tocantins' (Season 18), where his eccentric behavior, elaborate storytelling, and self-proclaimed title of "The Dragon Slayer" made him a memorable and polarizing figure. His participation in 'Survivor' led to his firing as head women's soccer coach at Southwest Baptist University, as he did not inform the school of his extended absence for filming. He returned for 'Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains' (Season 20) in 2010 and again for 'Survivor: South Pacific' (Season 23) in 2011, where he adopted a more strategic approach as the "Zen Slayer" and reached the Final Tribal Council, ultimately finishing as the runner-up.

Beyond 'Survivor', Wade has maintained a significant presence in the music world. He is the co-founder, artistic director, and conductor of the Susanville Symphony, which he helped establish in 2003, making Susanville the smallest town in America with its own symphony orchestra. He has composed several classical pieces, including his ballet 'The Four Elements' which premiered in 2011. Wade also teaches music history at Lassen College and is a music instructor at Lassen High School.

In his personal life, Benjamin Wade married Jessica Newton, a dance studio owner, on December 31, 2011. They have two children, daughter Lenna (born May 8, 2014) and son Bekston (born October 13, 2016), and Jessica has a son, Avvan, from a previous relationship. Wade retired from collegiate soccer coaching in November 2015 to dedicate more time to his family and the Susanville Symphony, though he briefly returned to coach the Redding Royals FC semi-pro soccer team to a championship in 2017.

Most recently, Benjamin "Coach" Wade returned to 'Survivor' for its historic 50th season, 'Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans', which premiered on February 25, 2026. He aimed to showcase personal growth and a more evolved game, rebranding himself as the "Tide Walker," but his familiar "Dragon Slayer" persona re-emerged during the season. Wade was eliminated from 'Survivor 50' on April 16, 2026, following a "Double Duos" twist and strategic moves against him. Concurrently with his 'Survivor 50' appearance, Wade has been on a rock tour called "Dragons Will Be Slayed and/or Slaying Across America" with fellow 'Survivor' alumnus and rock guitarist Ben Katzman, playing trumpet at various venues.