Pensacola Christian College Men's Basketball

Jason Bell has been the head men’s basketball coach at Pensacola Christian College since June 2021. He graduated from Crown College with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1998. Bell also published a book in 2019 titled Coach Your Team, Not Your Sport.   Bell was born in Adrian, MI, but spent most of his adult life in Wyoming and Colorado. As a young man, Bell played on the high school basketball and soccer teams in Adrian, MI, and played three years while attending Crown College.   Bell has fourteen years of coaching experience, leading the men’s basketball varsity team at Front Range Baptist Academy from 2007 to 2021. While at Front Range, Bell led his team to a 191–107 record which included three state championships, four Sweet Sixteen appearances, and two Great Eight appearances. He also earned CHSAA 5280 League Coach of the Year in 2019. Upon his arrival at PCC in 2021, Bell got right to work recruiting incoming freshmen, graduate students, and transfers. With a new program and new players, Bell dove in feet first and has been coaching the Eagles for the last three seasons. With an overall record of 30-44 (16-17 in conference play) Coach Bell and the Eagles worked their way into the NCCAA South Region Championship game in 2024 for the first time since the 2015-2016 post-season.   Outside of basketball, Bell has been a financial advisor in Cheyenne, WY, an experience that shaped his views concerning building professional relationships with coworkers and clients.   “My view is that when God gives talents, He gives them to us so that we will use those talents to bring others closer to Him,” said Coach Bell. “I’d like our basketball family to encourage our players and our opponents to use their talents to move people closer to God.”   Bell and his wife Chastity have three daughters, Mary Beth, Abby, and Aubrey. In his spare time, Bell has enjoyed continuing to coach as well as spending time on the lake by his home in Colorado.  

Micah Conlon is entering his second season as the Eagles Basketball Assistant Coach. Before his time as the Eagles assistant, Conlon was a 12 year coach at Faith Christian Academy in Goldsboro, NC. Coach Conlon began his life in Nashville, TN where he was born into a military family. After a childhood of moving and relocating, the Conlon family settled in Goldsboro, NC for most of Micah’s teenage years.   After graduating high school, Conlon attended Pensacola Christian College from August of 1997- July of 2002. During his time as a student, Conlon received his bachelors degree in Mathematics Education in May of 2001. Looking to further his education at PCC, Conlon pursued a masters degree in Mathematics Education and graduated with his masters in July of 2002. However, that was not the conclusion of the degrees Coach Conlon would acquire, in July of 2012 Conlon graduated from Liberty University with his Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.   Before his coaching career began, Conlon was a very successful high school athlete, being named All-Region, All-Conference, All-State, and All-Academic player in each sport that he participated (volleyball, basketball, and baseball). Once his high school career and college education were completed, Conlon went back to the place he called home in Goldsboro, NC. After his 12 years at Faith Christian Academy, Coach Conlon had built quite an impressive coaching resume. Conlon reach multiple final four appearances in every sport he coached, in 2007 he was named the NCCSA Assistant Basketball Coach of the Year, and in 2003 he was named NCCSA Baseball Coach of the Year!   While Conlon holds a bachelors degree, a master’s degree, and an education specialist degree, he never quit his education! Coach Conlon also holds a certification for First Aid, CPR, and AED through the American Red Cross and he also holds an officiating certificate in volleyball from the FHSAA.   When asked what led him to working at PCC, Conlon replied, “After teaching, coaching, and leading as a school administrator, the Lord led my family to PCC as a writer for Abeka. After writing high school math and science textbooks for 2 years, the Lord opened the door for me to become the men’s basketball assistant coach. Now, I am now able to continue the two passions I have had for more than 20 years: impacting young people through education via writing textbooks and training young men to strengthen their passion through a higher purpose via basketball.” Coach Conlon’s life verse is Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Unless he is on the water fishing, participating in wood working, or reading, Conlon is spending time with his wife Jamie Conlon and their three children – Blaise, Milyah, and Macie.  

Mark Goetsch will be returning as the Eagles Athletic Director (AD) for PCC’s upcoming 50th year celebration. His contribution to Eagles athletics both on and off the court is legendary! He has been a favorite with coaches, players, and students for nearly 30 years. After previously serving as head coach and AD, Goetsch will be a valuable addition as he returns as AD and serves as the assistant coach of the men’s basketball team. Goetsch was born and raised in Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1983, Goetsch graduated from Maranatha Baptist University with a degree in Bible and secondary education with concentrations in history and PE. Then, in 1998 he received a Master of Sports Science in Sports Coaching from the United States Sports Academy. Goetsch also has his Functional Movement Screening Certification, Sports Speed Certification, and is currently working on a PGC Basketball Coaching Certification. In college, Goetsch played football, basketball, and baseball, and was awarded All-Conference and All-American in all three sports. In 1983, Goetsch had the opportunity to travel for the Northwest Basketball Camps to Europe and play basketball in Greece, Italy, and the former Yugoslavia. Goetsch left Wisconsin to work at San Francisco Christian School as a coach and the athletic director from 1983–1994. In 1994, Goetsch contacted former PCC president Dr. Arlin Horton about an opening in the PCC athletic department. Shortly after, Goetsch began his 27 year career as AD and the head men’s basketball coach. As the head coach, Goetsch reached 350+ wins and had the opportunity to coach five All-Americans and eight All-Region award winners. After stepping out of PCC athletics for a year, Goetsch returned as the assistant coach of the men’s basketball team for the 2022–2023 season. While he will remain the assistant coach, Goetsch is stepping back into his previous AD role. Goetsch said the Lord led him to become the AD again. He said, “Ephesians 4:12 came to mind several days ago where Paul tells various ministry leaders how they can impact the body of Christ ... ‘For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.’” Goetsch remains excited about the opportunity to impact performance and impact people. When asked what led him to return as the AD, Goetsch said, “Being able to invest in the people (athletes, coaching, athletic department staff) is an opportunity that I believe God has given to me to utilize for His glory. From forty years of coaching experience to my love of learning in areas like leadership, culture, player development, and being a master teacher are things that I can contribute to both our student-athletes and our staff.” Goetsch and his wife Melany have been married for 38 years. Their three sons, Marques, Matt, and Mike each had the incredible opportunity to play four years of PCC Eagles basketball with their dad as their head coach. In their free time, Mr. and Mrs. Goetsch enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren!