Director of Athletics and Recreation
Steve Cook announced the hiring of
Curt Kimm as Coe College's inaugural esports head coach in January of 2021. Kimm, who has a diverse coaching background, came to Coe from a stint as a desktop support analyst after spending five-plus years in secondary education. Curt, an avid video game player himself, returned to Coe where he spent one season as an assistant football coach under Steve Staker. Kimm will bring experience playing Overwatch, Valorant and Call of Duty with him to Coe as well as viewing experience of numerous other titles. Currently, Kimm serves on the Board of Directors for the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC).
In Curt's first full season in charge, the Kohawk Overwatch team took second place in the NECC regular season in the Navigators Division and later received a bid to Nationals after tying for sixth place.
Kimm, who holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Northern Iowa and a master's in athletic administration from Ohio University will help kick-start the varsity esports program at Coe. He will oversee both the varsity and club teams which will offer a variety of games and competition levels. The varsity esports team will play Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League and Valorant in a competitive setting while the club team will offer a broader variety of gaming experiences.
Curt's coaching experience also includes time with the track and field program and basketball team at St. Joseph's Catholic School where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director from 2016-2017. He also spent five years as an assistant coach with the Linn-Mar High School football program.
Coaching Highlights at Coe
Overwatch
NECC Spring 2022 2nd place Navigators Division - Central Conference
2021-2022 NECC National Qualifer - Navigators Division
2022 Grubby Games 1st place hosted by South Dakota School of Mines
2023 Iowa Esports State Championship 2nd place
2022-2023 NECC National Qualifer - Champions Division
NECC Spring 2024 3rd place Champions Division - Central Conference
2023-24 MVEC Conference Championship
Spring 2024 41st place in the Overwatch Collegiate Championship Tournament
2024 Grubby Games 1st place hosted by South Dakota School of Mines
NECC Division 5 Spring Conference Champions
2024-25 NECC Division 5 National Runner-Up
2024-25 MVEC Conference Champions
Valorant
NECC Fall 2022 2nd place Navigators Division - Pacific Frontier Conference
NECC Spring 2023 1st place Navigators Division - Midwest Conference
2022-2023 NECC National Qualifer Navigators Division
2024-25 MVEC 3rd place
NECC Division 9 Conference Champions
NECC Division 9 National Participants
Rocket League
NECC Fall 2023 3rd place Navigators Division - Great Plains Conference
League of Legends
NECC Spring 2024 2nd place Emergents Division - Midwest Conference
2023-2024 NECC National Qualifer Emergents Division
NECC Division 5 Fall Conference Runner Up
NECC Division 5 National Participants
Super Smash Brothers
MVEC Spring 2024 2nd place
2024-25 MVEC 3rd place
