| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 1, 1936 Farmersville, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 2, 2021 (aged 84) San Angelo, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | North Texas |
| Playing career | |
| 1956–1957 | Paris |
| 1958–1959 | Southeastern Oklahoma State |
| Position(s) | Fullback, cornerback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1961–1962 | McKinney HS (TX) (assistant) |
| 1963–1964 | Rockwall HS (TX) |
| 1965–1966 | Kilgore HS (TX) |
| 1967–1970 | Rice (DL) |
| 1971 | Baytown Sterling HS (TX) |
| 1972–1973 | Angelo State (DC) |
| 1974–1981 | Angelo State |
| 1982–1988 | Stephen F. Austin |
| 1990–1996 | New Mexico State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 134–108–5 (college) |
| Tournaments | 4–2 (NAIA D-I playoffs) 1–1 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 NAIA Division I (1978) 1 LSC (1978) 1 Gulf Star (1985) | |
| Awards | |
| NAIA Coach of the Year (1978) LSC Coach of the Year (1977) | |
James Ray Hess (December 1, 1936 – October 2, 2021) was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas from 1974 to 1981, Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas from 1982 to 1988, and New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico from 1990 to 1996, compiling career college football coaching record of 134–108–5. Hess led his 1978 Angelo State team to a NAIA Division I Football National Championship. Hess began his coaching career at the high school level in the state of Texas. He was also a scout for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).