Owens

Cornelius Hester joined the Owens men’s basketball program after six seasons at NCAA Division III Defiance College. He served one season as a recruiting assistant, followed by five seasons as an assistant coach, including a three-month stint as acting head coach. During his time at Defiance, Coach Hester was instrumental in recruiting numerous all-conference players, including one standout who transferred to Division I Eastern Illinois University, where he earned a starting role and made a significant impact.

Now entering his third season at Owens, Coach Hester has played a key role in the program’s recent success. As Assistant Coach and Recruiting Director, he helped lead the Express to back-to-back NJCAA Region XII Championships — a milestone the program had not achieved in over a decade. He now enters his third season as Associate Head Coach while continuing to serve as Recruiting Director.

Coach Hester’s coaching career began more than 20 years ago in the Defiance (OH) youth basketball system, where he served as a junior high head coach. He went on to coach at Defiance High School as the freshman head coach and later as a varsity assistant, working under future Hall of Fame coach Kirk Lehman. During his tenure, the program captured three Western Buckeye League championships along with multiple sectional and district titles.

In addition to his work at the high school and collegiate levels, Hester is the founder and director of Ohio Reign Phenom, one of northwest Ohio’s premier AAU basketball programs. His team competes under the nationally recognized Phenom United 3SSB Adidas umbrella, helping develop and showcase high-level talent.

A Defiance High School graduate and varsity letterwinner, Hester began his college career at the University of Toledo before transferring to Tri-State University (now Trine University), where he studied business administration and a member of the men’s basketball program.

Beyond basketball, Hester is a respected entrepreneur and community leader. He has owned and operated Custom Tees & Apparel for almost 20 years in Defiance since 2006. He also actively volunteers his time at the Defiance YMCA, participating in numerous youth basketball camps and clinics.

Coach Hester is the proud father of three children. His daughter, Breanna, graduated from Ohio Northern University and earned her master’s degree in accounting from Tiffin University; she now works as an accountant for Nestlé. His son, Cornelius Hester II, is completing his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He also has a younger daughter, Faith Hester.