SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel University Athletics announced the addition of three new staff members to the 2025-26 school year on Monday.

Jai Melancon joins the Valor Football coaching staff as a Linebackers Coach after four years at NAIA Louisiana Christian. Melancon served as the Director of Football Operations for the Wildcats while also coaching Wide Receivers in one of the nation's top offenses.

A native of Bourg, Louisiana, Melancon is excited to join the Evangel Football program. "God has been so very good to me. I want to thank Coach Hep for giving me the opportunity at Evangel University. I look forward to developing young men on and off the field," stated Melancon. "When you hear about Evangel Football, it resonated with an extremely well ran program built on using football as a tool to develop young men, I am just grateful to be a part of that."

Hannah Woodcock joins the Valor Women's Basketball coaching staff as Head Coach Madi Wallace's assistant coach after two seasons at Mission University in the same role. Woodcock, a Webb City native, began her coaching career in 2020, coaching over 12 different youth teams before joining the staff at Mission under Wallace.

"I am so excited and honored to be joining the Valor family under head coach Madi Wallace," Woodcock said. "We cannot wait to continue to serve our student athletes and the Southwest Missouri basketball community by striving for excellence in all that we do. I am privileged to be part of this program that values faith, hard work, and unity."

Kaden Hass transitions from a graduate assistant to his new role in the department as the Athletics Digital Media and Technology Manager. After spending four years at Evangel and earning his bachelor's degree, Hass continued to work with the Athletic Department last season after four years as a student assistant.

"It is exciting to continue to be a part of the Evangel Athletics Family. I am thankful for Coach Hepola and Coach Staley for this opportunity, as well as Issac Granado for mentoring me as a student and teaching me all about the behind the scenes work in athletics," said Hass, the Owasso, Okla., native. "Helping give student athletes a stage to glorify God is my passion and I am blessed to be able to serve here at Evangel."

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, X (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.  

—#OneValor—