Kevin Bachtel was named the head coach at Howard Payne in December of 2022 after serving two years as the Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Since at HPU, Coach Bachtel's defensive units have climbed the ASC defensive statistics lists. Upon his arrival to the program, the HPU defense was ranked last in the conference. In 2021, the Jackets improved to sixth in the conference, and in 2022, his defense was ranked fourth in the ASC in points allowed (27), and in touchdowns allowed (36), The Jackets' defensive efficiency also improved to fourth in the ASC in 2021 and in 2022 was ranked third in the conference.

While on staff at HPU, the Yellow Jackets posted back-to-back winning seasons, 7-3 in 2021 and 7-3 in 2022. During that time, Kevin coached nine different All-Conference defensive players including 1st Team All-Region defensive back, Kyle Bell.

Also during that period, the HPU offensive has shined being ranked among the best in the conference and nation. In 2022, the Yellow Jacket offensive finished the season as the 10th ranked offense in the nation.

Coach Bachtel came to Howard Payne in the spring of 2021 from Edgewood High School, where he was the head football coach for five seasons (2016-2021), compiling a record of 40-17 and a district championship in 2016.

Before Edgewood, Kevin had coaching stints at Grand Saline High School (TX) as the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator, and at Willis Point High School (TX) as the defensive coordinator.

Over two seasons (2021 and 2022), he coached nine different All-Conference defensive players including 1st Team All-Region defensive back, Kyle Bell.

Kevin is a 2000 graduate of Texas A&M Commerce and is married to his wife Sara with one daughter, Madlyn.