Special to The Message
Mater Dei High School recently announced the hire of alumnus Cody Hess as the school’s head football coach.
Hess is the fifth head football coach in the Evansville school’s 75-year history. He takes the reins from longtime coach Mike Goebel.
“The opportunity to lead this program is both humbling and a dream come true,” Hess said in the press release. “I have big plans for this program — both on and off the field. On the field, we will pursue excellence through preparation, effort and execution. Off the field, we want to develop young men who respect themselves and others and consistently strive to make the right choices in all aspects of life. My goal is that every young man who leaves our program is not just a better athlete, but also a better person ready to excel in life beyond football.”
A 2017 graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, Hess brings “a unique blend of leadership, teaching and coaching experience,” the press release states. After graduating from USI, Hess served as the athletic director and social studies teacher at Resurrection School. In 2023, he returned to Mater Dei as a social studies and physical education teacher.
The press release says Hess’s coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the key principles of discipline, accountability, dependability, faith and coachability. He credits these values with helping to build a strong and unified team culture at Mater Dei that extends beyond the gridiron.
“Cody is a genuine asset to Mater Dei and very deserving to serve as our next head football coach,” former coach Mike Goebel said in the press release. “I have been so fortunate to work with Cody as a student, player and colleague. His dedication to our program and our mission is unmatched.”
Over the past 12 years, Hess has served Mater Dei football in several roles, including assistant head coach, head strength training coach, offensive coordinator, assistant defensive coordinator, running backs coach and defensive backs coach. During his time on the coaching staff, Mater Dei won one state championship, was the state runner-up twice, won four regional championships and won six sectional championships.
“Cody’s passion for football, leadership and commitment to our mission make him the perfect choice to lead our football program,” Athletic Director Sam Fleming said in the press release. “We are excited to see the continued success of our team under his leadership.”
Hess, who is married and has three young children, credits his family’s support as a vital part of his success both on and off the field.