Dowell Removes Interim Tag, Names Maverick Alum Jessica Hessel as Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Head Coach
May 2, 2023 | Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving
Omaha Athletics announces Jessica Hessel as the Mavericks official Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Head Coach. Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell announced the promotion of Hessel after she served as the interim head coach of the Mavericks this past season. Hessel becomes the the second ever head coach in the history of both programs.
This season under her direction, the Mavericks found no shortage of achievements. Omaha registered 179 personal bests during the 2022-23 campaign. Four swimmers earned Summit League Peak Swimmer of the Week and one diver garnered a Peak Diver of the Week award. The Mavericks had 21 top-8 conference finishes, six All-Summit honors, one zones qualifier, and 14 school records.
In the classroom, the women's team completed the fall semester with a 3.676 GPA and boasted 11 student-athletes on the Dean's list and 11 on the Chancellor's list. The men saw a two-point rise from last year with a team GPA of 3.259. Eight student-athletes landed on the Dean's List and five on the Chancellor's List. Rounding out their academic accolades, Omaha had four swimmers on the All-Summit Academic All-League list.
"It's an exciting day for UNO as we name another Maverick alum as head coach. In the interim capacity this past season, Coach Hessel guided our men's and women's swimming and diving programs to success competitively, academically, and in the community. She not only earned this opportunity with her hard work and dedication this past season, but also through her impressive experience in the sport," Dowell said.
"As an alum, she is uniquely qualified to understand the opportunities of each program and the important roles the teams have for our university. I am impressed with the culture that has been established and excited about the trajectory of the programs under her leadership."
In 2015, Hessel returned to her alma mater as an assistant swim and dive coach. In 2020, Hessel was promoted to Associate Head Coach. During Jessica's four-year collegiate career at Omaha (2004-08), the Wichita, Kan., native anchored the Mavericks NCAA National Championship 400 free relay team in her senior season with teammates Kristy Gmeiner, Megan Guthmiller and Cait Hopkins. Hessel was a 10-time All-American and earned another 12 honorable mention All-American awards while setting four school records over her decorated career.
"I'm excited to remain in Omaha and to continue to build both programs to their full potential with our amazing student-athletes," Hessel said. "They are invested in their training, academics, and the future of this program. We will continue to work hard and find new heights. There is no other team that I'd rather coach than this one here in Omaha and I'm grateful to be a part of it all."
Prior to returning to Omaha, Hessel spent three years (2012-15) at Truman, where she served as an assistant coach for two seasons before being elevated to Associate Head Coach in her final season. She was previously a Graduate Assistant at Henderson State from 2010 to 2012. Over her coaching career, Hessel has guided three world championship qualifiers, 27 All-Americans and 38 honorable mention All-Americans.
In addition, Hessel worked as the Aquatics Director at the Jewish Community Center in Omaha and coached at Millard Aquatic Club and Millard South High School.
Hessel earned her bachelor's degree in general studies from UNO in 2010 and her master's degree in sports administration from Henderson State in 2012.
"I want to thank Adrian for his support over the past season and the opportunity to continue to lead this program. There are so many wonderful administrators, support staff and coaches that I get to work with that makes each aspect of this job enjoyable," Hessel said. "I have been associated with this program for 20 years; as a recruit, a swimmer, an alumnus and most recently a coach. This is a place where I have built a strong support system as well as started a family. Being able to stay in Omaha and do what I love means everything."
This season under her direction, the Mavericks found no shortage of achievements. Omaha registered 179 personal bests during the 2022-23 campaign. Four swimmers earned Summit League Peak Swimmer of the Week and one diver garnered a Peak Diver of the Week award. The Mavericks had 21 top-8 conference finishes, six All-Summit honors, one zones qualifier, and 14 school records.
In the classroom, the women's team completed the fall semester with a 3.676 GPA and boasted 11 student-athletes on the Dean's list and 11 on the Chancellor's list. The men saw a two-point rise from last year with a team GPA of 3.259. Eight student-athletes landed on the Dean's List and five on the Chancellor's List. Rounding out their academic accolades, Omaha had four swimmers on the All-Summit Academic All-League list.
"It's an exciting day for UNO as we name another Maverick alum as head coach. In the interim capacity this past season, Coach Hessel guided our men's and women's swimming and diving programs to success competitively, academically, and in the community. She not only earned this opportunity with her hard work and dedication this past season, but also through her impressive experience in the sport," Dowell said.
"As an alum, she is uniquely qualified to understand the opportunities of each program and the important roles the teams have for our university. I am impressed with the culture that has been established and excited about the trajectory of the programs under her leadership."
In 2015, Hessel returned to her alma mater as an assistant swim and dive coach. In 2020, Hessel was promoted to Associate Head Coach. During Jessica's four-year collegiate career at Omaha (2004-08), the Wichita, Kan., native anchored the Mavericks NCAA National Championship 400 free relay team in her senior season with teammates Kristy Gmeiner, Megan Guthmiller and Cait Hopkins. Hessel was a 10-time All-American and earned another 12 honorable mention All-American awards while setting four school records over her decorated career.
"I'm excited to remain in Omaha and to continue to build both programs to their full potential with our amazing student-athletes," Hessel said. "They are invested in their training, academics, and the future of this program. We will continue to work hard and find new heights. There is no other team that I'd rather coach than this one here in Omaha and I'm grateful to be a part of it all."
Prior to returning to Omaha, Hessel spent three years (2012-15) at Truman, where she served as an assistant coach for two seasons before being elevated to Associate Head Coach in her final season. She was previously a Graduate Assistant at Henderson State from 2010 to 2012. Over her coaching career, Hessel has guided three world championship qualifiers, 27 All-Americans and 38 honorable mention All-Americans.
In addition, Hessel worked as the Aquatics Director at the Jewish Community Center in Omaha and coached at Millard Aquatic Club and Millard South High School.
Hessel earned her bachelor's degree in general studies from UNO in 2010 and her master's degree in sports administration from Henderson State in 2012.
"I want to thank Adrian for his support over the past season and the opportunity to continue to lead this program. There are so many wonderful administrators, support staff and coaches that I get to work with that makes each aspect of this job enjoyable," Hessel said. "I have been associated with this program for 20 years; as a recruit, a swimmer, an alumnus and most recently a coach. This is a place where I have built a strong support system as well as started a family. Being able to stay in Omaha and do what I love means everything."
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