To say 2024 was a whirlwind for Houston Christian head coach Jason Bachtel would be an understatement. The craziness began on New Year’s Eve when Braxton Harris left to become the head coach at Campbell. Bachtel was named head coach four days later and immediately started putting together his coaching staff, finalizing the 2024 recruiting class, developing a plan for spring practice, and navigating the spring transfer portal window before summer camp started in June. He then conducted fall camp in August, followed by the actual season.

Once the season ended, Bachtel finally had a chance to reflect on his first year as an FCS head coach that produced a 5-7 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the Southland Conference.

Bachtel took responsibility for the inconsistent play at quarterback that kept the offense from being as explosive as expected. Still, the Huskies averaged 355 total yards and 27.6 points per game despite using three quarterbacks due to injuries. CJ Rogers earned the starting job to start the season before suffering a hamstring injury that never completely healed during the season. Eli Brickhandler developed a back injury during fall camp that delayed his ability to start games, which led to redshirt freshman Cutter Stewart playing SMU, who made the FBS playoffs, and Tarleton, who made the FCS playoffs, in his first two collegiate starts.

As he reflected on the 2024 season, Bachtel felt a need to define what kind of program he wanted to become, and he believed HCU needed him to take a step back from his offensive coordinator duties. However, he wasn’t going to turn the playcalling over to just anyone.

“For me to give up playcalling duties, it had to be someone I knew and trusted before my time here. I wasn’t looking to hire someone to run an offense that I didn't know,” Bachtel said. “I wanted to take a step back from calling plays and coaching the quarterbacks to concentrate on the guys on the other side of the ball, whom I had typically neglected.”

Bachtel placed a phone call to Mike Nesbitt – someone he knows very well. Bachtel was the quarterback and Nesbitt his offensive coordinator at Howard Payne in 2001. Bachtel joined the Yellow Jackets coaching staff as running backs coach in 2022 alongside Nesbitt.

“I called Mike and asked him what he was looking for, and he said he wanted to reduce his role if the right opportunity arrived,” Bachtel said. “I told him that I was calling to let you know that I have a quarterback coach position open, and I’d give him the offensive coordinator and playcalling duties if he accepted.”

Fortunately for Bachtel, Nesbitt was interested in returning to Texas, despite having started and built a successful NAIA program in Ottawa, Arizona, which won 51 games during his seven years at the helm.

“We’re still in the process of determining the details of who we want to be as a program, but I feel great about where our kids are right now,” Bachtel said. “Hiring a guy like Mike allows me to take a step back and focus on the culture of the program because our kids need a head coach.”

The time for reflection and hiring someone he trusts to run the offense has rejuvenated Bachtel, who expects the Huskies to be ready for another challenging schedule in 2025. HCU will have a new starting quarterback this year with Trinity Valley transfer Diego Tello and Miami (OH) transfer Maddox Kopp battling in Fall Camp to determine the starter.

Bachtel has noticed a rare sense of camaraderie with this year’s squad, who enjoy being around each other and are continually meeting with coaches outside of regular hours to improve and study their craft. He believes something special is building in 2025.

“This group has bought into our standard, they hold each other accountable, and they have fun playing football and being around each other,” he said.

Cory’s Take

A six or seven-win season isn’t out of the question for Houston Christian in 2025. The Huskies have an excellent chance to win four of their first six games and key Southland Conference home games against Stephen F. Austin and UIW.

Whether the Huskies live up to the expectations hinges on the play at quarterback, where five players combined for 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. Competing for the starting role is former three-star recruit Maddox Kopp, who received minimal playing time at Colorado and Miami (OH), and Diego Tello, whose full abilities were not unleashed behind a Trinity Valley offensive line that struggled last year. Expect Bachtel to add another quarterback after former Cisco quarterback Landon Vessell entered the transfer portal following spring camp.

- Written by Cory Hogue