ELSAH, IL – After 13 seasons of dedicated service to Principia College as head soccer coach, Jess Semnacher has decided to pursue new career opportunities.
Jess has served as a successful coach for both the men's and women's programs during his tenure at the College. After serving as assistant soccer coach from 2008-2010, he was both College women's head coach (2011-2017) and the Upper School girls' technical director (2011-2015). In his first season at the College, he led the women to a SLIAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. To recognize this achievement, the conference named Jess the 2011 SLIAC Coach of the Year. His women's teams had continued success as they finished in the top four in the conference standings from 2011-2014.
In 2015, Jess took over as men's head coach and coached both programs simultaneously for two seasons. In 2017, he switched to coaching the men full-time and led the team to top four conference finishes in 2017, 2019, and 2022. The 2019 team won the SLIAC Tournament and earned a playoff berth in the NCAA Tournament. Throughout his time at Principia, Jess proved to be a strong recruiter.
As a student at the College, Jess played for the men's soccer team from 2002-2005. He featured primarily as a defender, was named the team's MVP twice, and received an All-Conference nod in 2005. After graduating, he played semi-professionally in Madrid, Seattle, and St. Louis.
Thank you for all you brought to Principia College, Jess! We wish you well in your future endeavors!
Markus Bathelt, an assistant for the men's program the last two seasons, has been appointed as interim head coach while the search will begin for Jess' successor.
