Cody Hess becomes the fifth head coach in Mater Dei football history

Posted by author February 14, 2025 Football

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EVANSVILLE — Cody Hess understands the challenge connected with the next step of his football coaching career. It’s also what excites him.

Hess was named the fifth head coach in Mater Dei High School history on Friday. He has familiarity with this program in a way few can relate. The 2012 graduate was a star running back for the Wildcats. He was also on the coaching staff for 12 seasons.

It’s now his turn to lead one of the more successful programs in Southwestern Indiana.

“It means a lot to have that responsbility and opportunity to continue that rich tradition,” said Hess. “Not only on the football field but in the classroom and community. As a coaching staff, we’re going to stay pretty close together. We’re going to try and continue to do well on Friday nights to the best of our ability.”

Only four coaches have led Mater Dei since its first football season in 1949. The most recent was Mike Goebel, a Hall of Famer who retired in December after a 28-year run that finished with 270 victories — the most in SIAC history despite leading the smallest school in the conference — and two state championships, among many other accomplishments.

His successor should be a familiar name to those who follow Evansville high school football.

Goebel described Hess as “the heart and soul of our team” during his playing career. The running back finished as the program’s all-time leader in career rushing with 5,220 yards. He had 28 touchdowns and earned All-State in his final year as the Wildcats advanced to the Class 2A state championship game — Mater Dei lost to Fort Wayne Luers. Hess was also a member of the Class 2A baseball state runner-up team his senior year.

“Cody’s passion for football, leadership, and commitment to our mission make him the perfect choice to lead our football program,” Mater Dei athletics director Sam Fleming said in a press release. “We are excited to see the continued success of our team under his leadership.”

Mater Dei has only two losing seasons since 1993 and ranks first in City history with 24 sectional championships. The Wildcats have played in seven state title games, winning in 2000 and 2022. Hess hopes to follow the standard set by Goebel and others.

He served in multiple roles as an assistant coach including as the offensive coordinator most recently.

“How you grew up is trying to go play for coach Mike Goebel,” said Hess. “Having the opportunity to join staff with him and coach on the sidelines with him, you learn so much. To a part of (the 2022 state title) with him was a special day for us. He’s done a lot for me. Hopefully, I can repay everything that he and the coaches before have done. Keep moving the program in the right direction.”

Mater Dei went 7-3 last fall, a four-win improvement, and finished tied for second in the SIAC. The Wildcats lost to No. 1 Memorial in the opening round of the 3A sectional. Several starters return including All-State running back Caden Thacker, All-SIAC quarterback Tate Mallory and All-SIAC linebacker Jackie Ford. Mater Dei has not won the SIAC championship since 2015.

For the first time in nearly three decades, it will be someone new calling the shots on the West Side.

“The SIAC is one-of-a-kind here in Indiana,” said Hess. “We like that competition. We know that we’re going to face a great opponent every Friday night. There is no easy game in the SIAC. We accept those challenges and want to do the best we can on Fridays.”