Coach Coverage: Brian Hesson

Coach Coverage: Relationships between coaches and student-athletes are crucial to the success of any college program around the country. On the campus of a Christian-based institution, though, it could be that much more vital.

Theoretically, any coach desires to bring success to their program by getting the most they can from each of their players, motivating and encouraging them constantly to perform at their best. That leadership tends to develop student-athletes into productive citizens when they finally get out into the “real world”. The coaches at Ohio Valley University, though, take it to the next level and strive for their student-athletes to have even more than just an education, but a productive and awesome relationship with Jesus.

In the first of many to come, OVU would like to spotlight one leader in their great array of coaches in order to gain a perspective of what it takes to achieve success in sport, in life, and obtain the ultimate goal of Heaven.

Brian Hesson has just completed his sixth season as the women’s cross country coach and his fifth as the head of the men’s program at Ohio Valley University. On top of that, in 2016, he implemented the men’s and women’s track & field program on campus. Success has been immediate for his programs. Under Hesson’s tutelage, Ohio Valley has earned seven all-conference selections in men’s and women’s cross country and 13 all-conference selections in men’s and women’s track & field.

Hesson has a way of getting through to those student-athletes on his roster because they realize that he has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be great in the sport. Hesson was one of Ohio’s most decorated cross country and track athletes. He won eight individual State titles at his time at Caldwell High School and earned All-American status three times at the Kinney (now Footlocker) National Championships. Hesson then went on to run for the University of Alabama where he earned his degree in Criminal Justice. He attained All-SEC honors (’95-97) and All-District honors (’94-97) in cross country and was a three time NCAA Championship qualifier. Following the 1997-1998 season, Hesson was recognized by the University of Alabama with the Career Achievement Award.

Coach Hesson was inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2015.

OVU runners have the luxury of learning from someone that has Division I knowledge, a desire to be great, and experience to aid them in their student-athlete journey.
They also have the added value of a coach that will help guide them in their walk as Christians. “OVU has given me the unique opportunity to not only coach at the Division II level, but more importantly, help athletes improve their spiritual life and guide them as they grow closer to Christ”, says Hesson who, along with his wife Niccole, and their 4 children, are members of the Dalzell Church of Christ.