14-02-2025
Mater Dei High School names new head football coach
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Mater Dei High School has announced a new head football coach, the fifth in the school's 75-year history.
Officials say Cody Hess will take the reins from longtime head coach Mike Goebel, who led Mater Dei to sustained success during his tenure.
USI Athletics accelerates transition to Division I
Mater Dei High School says Hess is a Mater Dei alumnus and a 2017 graduate of the University of Southern Indiana. Hess brings a blend of leadership, teaching and coaching experience. After graduating, he served as the Athletic Director and Social Studies teacher at Resurrection Catholic School, which is also his home parish. In 2023, he returned to Mater Dei as a Social Studies and Physical Education teacher.
Officials say over the past 12 years, Hess has served Mater Dei football in multiple 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's football program achieved numerous accolades, including:
State Championship: 2022
State Runner-Up: 2014, 2021
Regional Championships: 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022
Sectional Championships: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022
Lamasco Bar and Grill sold to new owner, renovations slated
'The opportunity to lead this program is both humbling and a dream come true,' said Hess. '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 that leaves our program is not just a better athlete, but also a better person ready to excel in life beyond football.'
Mater Dei High School says Hess's coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in five key principles: 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.
'Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
