Women's Basketball
Fessler, Paul
Paul Fessler
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- pfessler@umkc.edu
Paul Fessler enters his second year as Associate Head Coach in 2023-24. Previously, Fessler spent five years as an assistant/associate head coach at Bradley University from 2016-21.
Fessler brings over 25 years of coaching experience to Kansas City, spending 16 years as the head coach at Concordia-St. Paul and four years as the leader at Annoka Ramsey Community College prior to his time at Bradley.
In his first year with the Roos, Kansas City made a historic postseason run, claiming victories over #7 Denver and #2 North Dakota State to become the 10-seed in conference history to make the Summit League Semifinals. In addition, Fessler helped lead E'Lease Stafford to Newcomer of the Year and Honorable Mention All-League honors and Manna Mensah to All-Tournament Team honors.
In the 2020-21 season, Fessler’s Bradley squad got hot at the right time, defeating Northern Iowa, Loyola Chicago and Drake en route to the program’s first-ever conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament bid.
During his time at Bradley, Fessler helped lead the Braves to an improvement in the win category in each of his first four seasons, including the first back-to-back 20-win seasons in program history and a program record 22 wins in 2019-20.
The Braves saw great player development during Fessler’s tenure, boasting eight First Team All-MVC honorees over his five years. Prior to his arrival, the program had just three First Team All-League honorees in 15 years.
After leaving Bradley following the 2020-21 season, Fessler spent time as an assistant boy’s coach at Lewis-Palmer High School, aiding the team to a 4A Colorado High School State Championship. He also worked with Next College Student-Athlete, serving as a Women’s Basketball Recruiting Coach.
During his 16-year tenure at Concordia-St. Paul, Fessler posted a 326-148 (.688) overall record, including a 199-90 (.689) mark in conference play. In his 20 years as a head coach, he owns an overall mark of 427-166 (.720).
He was named the interim head coach of the Golden Bears prior to the 2000-01 season, following up a 12-win first season with a nine-year run of 20-win seasons. His Golden Bear squads made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program’s first NCAA DII Elite Eight appearance in the 2013-14 season.
Fessler’s first head coaching stint came at Annoka Ramsey Community College from 1996-2000, posting a 101-18 record during his four seasons. He was named the Region 13 Coach of the Year all four seasons, led his teams to three consecutive NJCAA DIII national championships and was the national runner up in 1999-2000.
Originally from Sutherland, Iowa, Fessler graduated with a degree in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1988. He was inducted into the Minnesota Girl’s Basketball Hall of Fame inn 2012, has served on the NCAA Regional selection committee and was the NSIC representative to the WBCA.
Fessler is married to his wife, Shelly, and the pair have a daughter, Jade.
Fessler brings over 25 years of coaching experience to Kansas City, spending 16 years as the head coach at Concordia-St. Paul and four years as the leader at Annoka Ramsey Community College prior to his time at Bradley.
In his first year with the Roos, Kansas City made a historic postseason run, claiming victories over #7 Denver and #2 North Dakota State to become the 10-seed in conference history to make the Summit League Semifinals. In addition, Fessler helped lead E'Lease Stafford to Newcomer of the Year and Honorable Mention All-League honors and Manna Mensah to All-Tournament Team honors.
In the 2020-21 season, Fessler’s Bradley squad got hot at the right time, defeating Northern Iowa, Loyola Chicago and Drake en route to the program’s first-ever conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament bid.
During his time at Bradley, Fessler helped lead the Braves to an improvement in the win category in each of his first four seasons, including the first back-to-back 20-win seasons in program history and a program record 22 wins in 2019-20.
The Braves saw great player development during Fessler’s tenure, boasting eight First Team All-MVC honorees over his five years. Prior to his arrival, the program had just three First Team All-League honorees in 15 years.
After leaving Bradley following the 2020-21 season, Fessler spent time as an assistant boy’s coach at Lewis-Palmer High School, aiding the team to a 4A Colorado High School State Championship. He also worked with Next College Student-Athlete, serving as a Women’s Basketball Recruiting Coach.
During his 16-year tenure at Concordia-St. Paul, Fessler posted a 326-148 (.688) overall record, including a 199-90 (.689) mark in conference play. In his 20 years as a head coach, he owns an overall mark of 427-166 (.720).
He was named the interim head coach of the Golden Bears prior to the 2000-01 season, following up a 12-win first season with a nine-year run of 20-win seasons. His Golden Bear squads made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program’s first NCAA DII Elite Eight appearance in the 2013-14 season.
Fessler’s first head coaching stint came at Annoka Ramsey Community College from 1996-2000, posting a 101-18 record during his four seasons. He was named the Region 13 Coach of the Year all four seasons, led his teams to three consecutive NJCAA DIII national championships and was the national runner up in 1999-2000.
Originally from Sutherland, Iowa, Fessler graduated with a degree in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1988. He was inducted into the Minnesota Girl’s Basketball Hall of Fame inn 2012, has served on the NCAA Regional selection committee and was the NSIC representative to the WBCA.
Fessler is married to his wife, Shelly, and the pair have a daughter, Jade.
WBB Highlights: Summit League Semifinals
Saturday, March 08
WBB Highlights: Summit League Quarterfinals
Friday, March 07
WBB Highlights at UND
Saturday, March 01
WBB Highlights at NDSU
Thursday, February 27
