Hebron Christian Academy

Jonathan Gess was named the head coach at HCA on March 3, 2022, making his way to Dacula from Eagles Landing Christian Academy where he captured six GHSA State Championships, including five straight championships from 2015-2019.

During his three-year tenure with the school, Gess has transformed the football program, culminating with the Lions’ first GHSA State Championship in school history in 2024. The championship gave Gess his seventh career GHSA state title, tying him for the third-most in GHSA history.

In his three years at HCA, Gess has posted an overall record of 27-10, including a 12-2 mark during the 2024 championship run. In his 18-year coaching career, he has an overall record of 187-49 (.792).

In his first year at Hebron in 2022, Gess opened his tenure with six consecutive wins and went on to post a 9-3 record, including a spot in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA State Tournament. The Lions saw their season come to a close against Cedar Grove, who went on to win the State Championship.

Year two saw the team jump out to a hot start with three straight wins, but the season ended in familiar fashion, falling to eventual State Runner-Up Cedar Grove to put a lid on a 6-5 campaign.

During his 15-years at ELCA, Gess posted a record of 160-39 (.804) with nine double-digit win seasons, and his Chargers became the first school in Georgia to win five straight football state championships. 

In his incredible run of five championships in five seasons, Gess' program posted a 64-5 (.927) record, while outscoring opponents by an average of 27.1 points during his six state championship game victories.

Along with his success on the field, Gess is also an author, publishing the book, Demand Excellence: On and Off the Field in 2018.

Gess and his wife Dee have one son, Uriah.