Jim Hesch is in his fifth year as the head coach for the D'Youville women's soccer program.
Hesch's squad had a remarkable 2019 campaign, posting a 10-win season that included a 6-2-2 record in AMCC play, as the team advanced to the conference's semifinal round for the third-straight season and fell one goal short of reaching the AMCC championship game. Under Hesch, the Red and Black had six players named to the AMCC All-Conference Teams, while Kaylee Heschke and Jordan Pachla were selected to the AMCC All-Tournament Team for their efforts in the postseason.
The 2018 season saw D'Youville earn the third seed in the AMCC playoffs as Hesch was named the AMCC Coach of the Year. Going 5-2-2 in conference play. D'Youville had an outstanding defensive record, as the team recorded six shutouts during the season and allowed two goals-or-less to all but one conference opponent. Hesch coached the team to the playoffs for the second consecutive season and coached five all-conference players, including the AMCC Defensive Player of the Year Megan Dulniak. Led by Dulniak and fellow AMCC All-Tournament Team selection Magan Magee, D'Youville advanced to the AMCC semifinals for the second time in as many seasons.
In his second season as head coach in 2017, Hesch led the fourth-seeded women's program to the second round of the AMCC playoffs. Finishing with an 8-7-4 overall record and 5-3-1 conference record, the team went 5-2 in their last seven regular season games, including six shutouts. A first-round win over La Roche led to a second-round shootout against the eventual AMCC champion Penn State-Behrend after a 0-0 double overtime draw. The team had four all-conference players and a pair of AMCC All-Tournament Team selections, while Makenna Magee was crowned the AMCC Newcomer of the Year.
In his first season as head coach at D'Youville, Hesch led the team to the SUNY Potsdam Tournament title with back-to-back 2-0 victories. Hesch's lineup would go on to record shutouts in the first four games of the season and in five of the team's first six contests, allowing just one goal in that six-game start.
Prior to taking on head coaching duties for D'Youville's women's soccer program, Hesch was an assistant coach for two seasons for the D'Youville men's soccer team under head coach Brendan Murphy, helping Murphy turn that program around in 2014 and 2015.
Hesch arrived on Porter Avenue with almost 15 years of coaching experience at almost every level. As well as directing the Black Watch-New York West Premiere Soccer Club and Amherst/Williamsville Soccer Club, Hesch spent 10 years as the head men's soccer coach at Canisius College. With the Griffs, he mentored five players to nine combined All-MAAC Team selections, including Alan McGreal, the first four-time selection in the program's history. Under Hesch's leadership, McGreal earned the conference's Rookie of the Year award in 2006 and was a two-time all-region selection before graduating with school records in career points, goals and assists. In addition, Fabien Lewis was named the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2003, while Anthony Palmiero and Brian Brehm were honored as the MAAC Men's Soccer Scholar Athletes of the Year in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
2010 saw Hesch become the first head coach of FC Buffalo, the top men's soccer team in the area, helping the club to a 6-4-2 mark in its inaugural season. Hesch has also spent time on staff with the University at Buffalo men's soccer team, SUNY Fredonia men's soccer team, and the Olympic Development Program for the New York State West Youth Soccer Association.
On the professional side, Hesch spent time working with the Rochester Lancers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. His first year with the Lancers was spent as an assistant coach, but was then promoted to head coach for the 2012-13 Season. During his time with the Lancers, Hesch was a coach for his current assistant, Rey Martinez.
A Central New York native, Hesch played in the National Professional Indoor Soccer League from 1995 to 2002, which included stints with the Harrisburg Heat from 1996 to 1999 and the Buffalo Blizzard from 1999 to 2000. For the Heat, Hesch was named an NPSL All-Star in the 1997-98 season after posting 119 points, the eighth-best single-season total in Heat history. In 2000 for the Blizzard, Hesch played in 38 games and tallied 21 goals with 14 assists. In 2002, Hesch captured a Major Indoor Soccer League championship as a member of the Philadelphia Kixx, tallying 36 points in 28 games.
As a collegiate player, Hesch won a national championship with Southern Connecticut University in 1990 before transferring to SUNY Cortland, where he played from 1991 to 1993 and was named a First Team All-American.
Hesch currently holds his USSF National "A" Coaching License as well as USSF National "Youth" Coaching License.
Hesch earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland in 1994. He currently resides in Amherst with his wife Linda, daughter Ryan, and son Connor.
