Steve Hesser Accepted Middle School Coaching Position

The former Drury University basketball coach will lead the seventh-grade boys team at Springfield Catholic.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Basketball

Steve Hesser Accepted Middle School Coaching Position

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Steve Hesser has accepted a role coaching seventh-grade boys basketball at Springfield Catholic. The veteran coach moves to the middle school level following a lengthy tenure at the collegiate level.

Why it matters

Hesser brings significant experience to Springfield Catholic, having established a notable track record at the collegiate and high school levels in Missouri. His arrival marks a transition from managing NCAA programs to developing young athletes in the local community.

Hesser secured 354 wins against 145 losses during his time at Drury University. His tenure included 10 national tournament appearances and two trips to the Elite Eight.

The players

Steve Hesser

A veteran basketball coach known for winning the 2013 NCAA Division II title and his previous roles at Drury University and Glendale High School.

Springfield Catholic

A school in Springfield, Missouri, that will host Hesser's new seventh-grade boys basketball program.

Drury University

A higher education institution in Springfield where Hesser coached the men's basketball team for 17 seasons.

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

An organization that recognizes significant contributions to the state's athletic history, which inducted Hesser in 2022.

The details

Springfield Catholic announced the hire of Hesser, who previously coached at Glendale High School, through a social media post. Hesser led Drury University to the 2013 NCAA Division II national championship during his tenure there.

Hesser served as the head coach for Drury University from 2004 to 2021.
Drury University claimed the NCAA Division II national championship in 2013.
Hesser was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Hesser was named to the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in September 2026.

Season Trajectory

Hesser's move to the middle school level signifies a pivot from high-stakes college recruitment to grassroots player development within the Springfield area. This appointment bolsters the Springfield Catholic basketball program's historical standing by adding a coach with elite-level resume experience.

The seventh-grade boys basketball roster at Springfield Catholic will now operate under a coach with a 354-145 career record at the collegiate level. This transition provides middle school players with training methodologies typically reserved for NCAA Division II athletes.

The takeaway

Hesser's transition highlights the value of high-level expertise at the youth development stage. Local players will benefit from a coach who has navigated the demands of national championship runs and professional development paths.