ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Head Coach Billy Crocker announced that Steele Hess would be joining the Eastern University Football Staff as a defensive assistant working specifically with the defensive line. Hess recently finished a successful playing career as a defensive tackle at Wilkes University. He graduated with a degree in Sport Management this past December and has joined the Eastern staff for the spring season.

"I am very excited to bring Steele onto our staff as our new Defensive Line Coach." Crocker said. "Steele just finished up an excellent playing career at the position and will bring that experience and knowledge to our defensive front.  He has great passion and energy for the game of football and I know that will resonate with our players."

At Wilkes, Hess earned All-Landmark honors in each of his final two seasons. In helping the Colonels to a 7-4 finish in 2024, Hess finished with 54 tackles including eight and a half tackles for loss. He recorded five tackles and a sack in a rivalry game win at King's College, and he helped fuel a huge comeback win over St. John Fisher with a 54-yard interception return. The Colonels trailed 21-0 in that game before rallying to win 28-21. 

Steele played in 42 games over his four-year career and finished with 219 tackles and 23 tackles for loss. He will work under veteran Defensive Coordinator Kory David.

Steele will pursue a Masters in Education at Eastern. 

Eastern Football finished its second varsity season with a 5-5 record while going 5-4 in the MAC. Including a 37-33 come-from-behind win at FDU-Florham in the season finale, the Eagles won five of their final seven games.