Bob Benson enters his first season with the Great Danes in 2014, serving the role of defensive coordinator and will also work with the defensive backs.
Benson started his coaching career as a graduate student at UAlbany under Bob Ford’s tutelage in 1986-87. Since then, he has been on staff at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1988-89), Johns Hopkins (1990-93), and was the head football coach at Georgetown University from 1993 to 2005. There, he compiled a career record of 72-64, earning MAAC Coach of the Year honors twice, and led the initiative to upgrade the Hoyas to the Patriot League.
In 2006 and 2007, Benson held the position of defensive coordinator at Towson University, where the Tigers finished second in the CAA for scoring defense.
Benson comes to UAlbany after spending the last six seasons (2008-13) as the associate head football coach and defensive coordinator at the Colorado School of Mines. He helped pilot the Orediggers to a 47-19 regular season record, including a bid to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2010.
In 2013, the Orediggers finished the season 8-3 overall and tied for second in the conference standings with a 7-2 mark. Under Benson’s watch, 11 players earned All-RMAC honors, as the team ranked first in the conference for both scoring defense (17.0 ppg) and total defense (349.1 ypg).
During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Benson was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Towson University in Towson, Maryland. During his first year with the Tigers, Benson's defense reduced its margin of points per game allowed by 13 from the previous season. In 2007, Towson's defense finished the regular season ranked second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in scoring defense, third in pass defense and fifth in overall defense.
Prior to his arrival at Towson University, Benson spent 13 years (1993-05) as the head football coach at Georgetown University. Benson compiled a 72-64 overall record during his time at Georgetown and led the Hoyas to six consecutive winning seasons from 1994-99. During that six-year stretch, the Hoyas went 44-17 overall and won or shared three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) titles. Benson's 2005 defense finished fourth in the country in passing defense and 23rd in total defense.
Following the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Benson was selected as the MAAC Coach of the Year. Georgetown's 8-3 finish in 1997 marked the first time since 1940 that the Hoyas had posted an eight-win season. Benson's 1997 squad also earned a berth in the ECAC-IFC Bowl game, marking Georgetown's first post-season appearance since the 1950 Sun Bowl. Benson subsequently received Georgetown's Outstanding Coaching Achievement Award. Benson's 1998 and 1999 teams posted back-to-back 9-2 seasons, tying the school record for single-season victories. In their final four seasons in the MAAC, the Hoyas went 29-3 in league play.
In 1995 and 1996, Georgetown led NCAA Division I-AA in total defense. After leading the nation in passing efficiency defense in 1993, Georgetown's 1995 squad led the country in rushing defense (53.2 ypg). Benson departed the Georgetown football team with the second-highest number of coaching victories (72) in program history.
From 1990-92, Benson was the defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins University. Benson also served as the head coach of the JHU's track & field team during his stint with the Blue Jays.
Before his arrival at Johns Hopkins, Benson was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1988-89. Benson also coached the lacrosse team during his time at WPI.
Benson began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University at Albany in 1986, spending one year as a defensive backfield coach and one season coaching the defensive line.
Benson's collegiate career began at Marietta College, where he competed as a wide receiver on the football team before an injury ended his playing days. Benson proceeded to transfer to the University of Vermont, where he earned his bachelor's degree in History in 1986. Benson went on to earn his M.E. in History / Education from UAlbany.
The Benson File
GATTUSO ON BENSON
“I competed against Bob while he was the head coach at Georgetown and through that competition I grew to respect his preparation of his teams. His kids played very, very hard and they handled themselves very professionally. I have a lot of respect for him.
“As a defensive coach, Bob is a very intelligent, prepared football coach who has a lot of experience. He’s been doing it a long time, in different leagues, in different parts of the country, and I like that about him.”
Personal
Alma Mater: University of Vermont ‘86
Wife: Julianne
Daughter: Kaylyn
Coaching Experience
Colorado School of Mines
2008-13: Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Towson University
2007-07: Defensive Coordinator
Georgetown University
1993-2005: Head Coach
Johns Hopkins University
1990-93: Assistant Football Coach/Head Track Coach
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
1988-89: Assistant Football Coach/Head Lacrosse Coach
University at Albany – M.Ed. History/Education ‘87
1986-87: Graduate Assistant Football Coach
