HUNTERSVILLE, NC (April 16, 2020) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on Thursday announced that Jesse Kallechy of the Fayetteville Marksmen has been selected as the SPHL Coach of the Year in a vote of league coaches, broadcasters and media representatives.

Evansville’s Jeff Bes finished second in the voting.

Now in his second season as head coach, Kallechy led the Marksmen to a 31-6-9 record and a share of first place when the season ended prematurely due to the Coronavirus outbreak. In Kallechy’s first year behind the bench, he guided Fayetteville to a 28-point improvement over the previous season (30 points in 2017-2018, 58 points in 2018-2019), the second-largest single season points increase in SPHL history.

Before joining the Marksmen, Kallechy enjoyed a three-year stint as assistant coach with the Huntsville Havoc, including the 2017-2018 President’s Cup Championship.
 
Previous SPHL Coach of the Year Winners

2018-19     Jamey Hicks, Birmingham Bulls
2017-18     Jean-Guy Trudel, Peoria Rivermen
2016-17     Kevin Kerr, Macon Mayhem
2015-16     Jean-Guy Trudel, Peoria Rivermen
2014-15     Jean-Guy Trudel, Peoria Rivermen
2013-14     Rod Aldoff, Pensacola Ice Flyers
2012-13     Mark DeSantis, Fayetteville FireAntz
2011-12     Jeff Bes, Mississippi Surge
2010-11     Brad Ralph, Augusta RiverHawks
2009-10     Steffon Walby, Mississippi Surge
2008-09     Scott Hillman, Knoxville Ice Bears
2007-08     Rick Allain, Jacksonville Barracudas
2006-07     John Marks, Fayetteville FireAntz
2005-06     Jerome Bechard, Columbus Cottonmouths
2004-05     Derek Booth, Fayetteville FireAntz

The SPHL will announce its Most Valuable Player on Friday.

(Photo credit: Raul F. Rubiera/Fayetteville Observer)