Career
From 1982 to 1988, he coached at SFA, where he compiled a 47–30–2 record, 10–3 in his final season. From 1990 to 1996, he coached at New Mexico State, where he compiled a 22–55 (286) record. He was fired in 1996 after his second 1–10 season at the school.
Jim Hess was a scout for the Dallas Cowboys until 2006.
He is credited with "finding" Tony Romo in 2006, then an unknown, undrafted free-agent from Division I-Associate of Arts Eastern Illinois. Hess is currently the color commentator for Angelo State University.