Coach Paul Maes is kicking off his second year as head coach for Men’s Varsity Basketball, but the once pro athlete has been a teacher, coach, and athletic director for more than 30 years.

“What a breath of fresh air it is to be at a Christ-centered school like Providence,” Coach Maes said. “I have been so impressed by my Providence basketball team with their Christian spiritual maturity and willingness to grow in their faith. They are a joy to coach and mentor.”

Coach Maes’ goal is for students to have a meaningful athletic experience, to love the game of basketball, and to realize that basketball is “a great sport, but a terrible god.” “I want to pass on to the boys that we have been put here on this earth to serve, help, influence, inspire, and make a difference,” he said.

Originally from Denver, Coach Maes moved with his wife Kathy (a reading tutor) and daughter Rosie to Northwest Arkansas in 2018, shortly after his daughter Amanda relocated here with her family. A former basketball player for the University of Northern Colorado, Coach Maes played professionally on the international stage in England, New Zealand, and France and toured as a player with a number of Athletes in Action basketball teams that traveled globally for competition and to share the Gospel. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in special education from the University of Northern Colorado and his Masters in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix at Denver, and went on to serve as teacher, athletic director and coach at prep schools in Colorado and Ohio. Maes enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking. (That’s no surprise, considering he’s climbed 25 14’ers in Colorado.) He also is on staff with Athletes in Action, and is involved with international basketball and chaplaincy projects.

Coach Maes’ favorite scripture is Matt: 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”