Janice Esses is entering her third year as the head coach of the Newman softball program in 2017-18.
Esses has compiled a 35-70 record overall since taking over the Jets prior to the 2016 season, including a 17-26 mark in Heartland Conference play.
The Jets broke a barrier in 2017, compiling a winning record (10-9) in Heartland Conference play and securing a spot in the league postseason for the second time in three years. Newman swept nationally-ranked St. Mary’s in a doubleheader to start an 8-4 finish to the regular season.
Esses’ first season with the Jets saw them reach a new high-mark in wins as a member of NCAA Division II with 18, going 18-35 against a tough slate. In Heartland Conference play, the team went 7-17, which was just one win away from matching its previous best.
She has coached three all-conference performers at Newman, including first-teamers Taylor Mannis (2016) and Mikayla Medbery (2017).
Esses came to Newman from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she amassed a record of 364-298 in 14 seasons as head coach. The Swedes totaled three KCAC championships and two tournament titles during that span, and Esses was selected the league’s coach of the year in both 2011 and 2012. Bethany qualified for the NAIA tournament twice under Esses, going a combined 76-27 over the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
A Lebanon, Kansas native, Esses played both softball and basketball at Bethany, earning her bachelor’s degree in biology in 2001.
