HCU Holds Press Conference to Welcome New Head Football Coach

Houston Christian University (HCU) President Robert Sloan and HCU Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci welcomed Jason Bachtel, as the University's' new head football coach during an afternoon press conference held Jan. 10 on the HCU campus.

Bachtel, the third coach in the program's history, replaces former HCU Head Coach Braxton Harris following his decision to assume a head coaching position at Campbell University.

Dr. Sloan told press conference attendees that he maintains his commitment to building a successful Division-1 football program on the heels of the team achieving its first (6-5) winning season in the program's history.

"We believe that our visibility, we believe that our status as universities is enhanced through successful athletics, particularly of course, in the state of Texas, in this part of the world, from football," said Dr. Sloan.

"I think this is a pivot point for us because we've had now a foundational season to build off of after we've had 10 years of foundational infrastructure building, but now we want to take the next step towards a winning program. To have a winning program you have to have consistency, you have to have loyalty."

Following Harris' unanticipated departure, HCU launched an immediate search for the University's next head football coach, conducting on-campus and virtual interviews of potential candidates before choosing Bachtel as HCU's new head coach.

"It did not take us very long to figure out that we had the right guy in the building," said Moniaci. "He has been a successful head coach at the collegiate level and the high school level here in Texas, and as we all know, being successful at the high school level here in Texas means a whole lot."

The HCU athletics director commended Bachtel, the team's former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, for his role in helping lead the Huskies to their first winning season and helping secure the number one recruiting class in the NCAA Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision this past fall.

Ready to capitalize on the team's milestone season, Bachtel thanked Dr. Sloan and Moniaci for their vision for the football program and for enabling him to quickly hire staff as he assumes his new post. He also expressed appreciation to his wife for encouraging him to take the step of faith that led him to HCU.

The former Howard Payne University head coach shared his pride in being a Husky and his commitment to building the HCU football program.

"I'm committed to the foundation that was laid and now it's time to build the walls and the walls are going to be built on commitment [and] toughness," said Bachtel. "We want to be the toughest football team on the field both mentally and physically. We will take this [team] to a different level just based on those two things."

Bachtel's goal is to mentor his players to not only have success on the field but to also be great men, husbands, fathers and leaders in the community, a vision that aligns with HCU's core convictions.