Chris Hess
Chris Hess
Head Coach Men's Golf
Assistant Coach Women's Basketball
Phone Number: 574.257.3371
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Coach Hess is a 1993 graduate of Bethel College where he played basketball and golf for the Pilots. After graduation, he took the position of Assistant Professional in the PGA Program at Willow Run Golf Club in Waukesha, WI.
Chris currently serves as an Assistant Athletic Director, Head Men's Golf Coach and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach. In the fall of 1994, Chris and his wife, Sheri, moved back to Bethel to serve as Resident Directors, a role they would serve for the next ten years. Chris spent six seasons as a varsity assistant coach with the basketball team that had a record of 208-26 and won NAIA national championships in 1995, 1997 and 1998, as well as an NCCAA national championship in 2000. In the spring of 2006, he joined the staff of the women's basketball team as an assistant coach and was a part of another NCCAA national championship, as well as three consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament (2007, 2008, 2009).
"Chris is very passionate to coach no matter the sport," stated Head Basketball Coach Jody Martinez. "He is a devoted family man and that is very important to me in representing this basketball program. I have the utmost respect and confidence in him to get things done when it is delegated. I believe this program went to another level when Coach Hess joined the staff. He does a great job of listening to the players. He loves helping any player get better with their game. Our relationship began as friends in the 80s when we were students at Bethel College. The relationship has now grown into more of a ‘brotherhood' type of relationship. My wife, Sonya, and his wife, Sheri, are great supporters of our coaching and for the spiritual development of these players. God has truly blessed me with a great assistant coach in Chris Hess."
He became the head golf coach before the 2000-2001 season and in his first 9 seasons has guided the Pilots to a head-to-head record of 1080-301. Under Hess the Pilots have won 16 tournaments, including a first ever MCC Championship in the fall of 2006. Coach Hess is a two time MCC Coach of the Year and has coached 7 NCCAA All-Americans, 6 NAIA Academic All-Americans, and 21 NCCAA Academic All-Americans.
Chris and his wife of 17 years, Sheri, live in Mishawaka with eleven year-old son Zachary and nine year-old daughter Madison.
"There is no place that I would rather be then at Bethel College," says Coach Hess. "God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to build relationships with so many great young men and women and I am so fortunate to be a part of two successful programs in golf and basketball. Coaching and winning are a lot of fun but more importantly, I have seen God work in a very powerful way in so many of our student athletes lives. Bethel College is a very special place to be."
