SFA Athletics Mourns Passing of Former Football Coach Jim Hess
10/4/2021 3:40:00 PM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – SFA Athletics mourns the passing of former football coach and athletic director Jim Hess on Sunday at the age of 85. Hess was a close friend of current head coach Colby Carthel and led the Lumberjacks for seven seasons from 1982-88. Hess led SFA to a Gulf Star Conference Co-Championship in 1985 and an NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinals appearance.
Hess guided the Lumberjacks to a 48-29-2 record overall and a conference record of 21-17-1. SFA's best season under Hess came in 1988, when the 'Jacks posted a 10-3 record (5-1 SLC) and advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, where they faced Georgia Southern.
"Coach Hess was a dear friend of mine, as he was to so many Lumberjacks through the years", said Carthel. He was one of the finest coaches to ever roam the sidelines at Homer Bryce, and he had a profound impact on not just our football program, but SFA as a whole. He played a very big role in guiding and supporting me to come to SFA, and I will always be grateful to him for that."
Following his time as head coach, Hess assumed the role of athletic director, and was instrumental in helping to move the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I-AA, while helping to renovate and update the athletic facilities.
Burial services for Coach Hess will take place on Thursday, October 7, beginning at 11:00 am with the visitation, followed by a private family burial and a public celebration of life to follow at 5:00 p.m. Services will be held at the Robert Massie Funeral Home in San Angelo, Texas.
Hess guided the Lumberjacks to a 48-29-2 record overall and a conference record of 21-17-1. SFA's best season under Hess came in 1988, when the 'Jacks posted a 10-3 record (5-1 SLC) and advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, where they faced Georgia Southern.
"Coach Hess was a dear friend of mine, as he was to so many Lumberjacks through the years", said Carthel. He was one of the finest coaches to ever roam the sidelines at Homer Bryce, and he had a profound impact on not just our football program, but SFA as a whole. He played a very big role in guiding and supporting me to come to SFA, and I will always be grateful to him for that."
Following his time as head coach, Hess assumed the role of athletic director, and was instrumental in helping to move the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I-AA, while helping to renovate and update the athletic facilities.
Burial services for Coach Hess will take place on Thursday, October 7, beginning at 11:00 am with the visitation, followed by a private family burial and a public celebration of life to follow at 5:00 p.m. Services will be held at the Robert Massie Funeral Home in San Angelo, Texas.
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