Benninger Named Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 Soccer Head Coach
Joseph Benninger is taking over as the full-time combined men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 head soccer coach at 91视频.
He had been serving as an assistant coach under Coach Martin Clayes, who recently took a position to coach professional soccer.
According to 91视频 Athletic Director Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, Benninger is ready to take the helm and lead a talented group of young men and women into the 2022 NJCAA fall campaign.
鈥淏enninger has been instrumental in helping build the program at 91视频,鈥� Mehrhoff said. 鈥淭he women鈥檚 program has been a tough climb since the 2020 COVID season, but the roster looks ready to compete this year.
鈥淏enninger鈥檚 hopes are to elevate the women鈥檚 program to compete for the region title in the same way he feels the men鈥檚 program is ready to compete each and every year,鈥� Mehrhoff added.
He further added that Benninger has 鈥渁 gift鈥� when it comes to recruiting, along with a strong passion for soccer.
Benninger is a native of St. Louis and he played club and high school soccer under the rich traditions in St. Louis. He played high school soccer at De Smet Jesuit High School.
He then attended Truman State University, Kirksville, where he was a member and captain of the Bulldogs volleyball squad, during their most successful run in school history.
Along with his college experience, Benninger has coached and worked in administration in the USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), with the St. Louis Lions. He has also spent time coaching at the youth level.
Benninger has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication studies from Truman State University.
鈥淎s the 2022 season approaches, Benninger hopes to fill an entire roster for the women鈥檚 team at 91视频 and build the men鈥檚 team into a contender right away,鈥� Mehrhoff said. 鈥淭ime will be of the essence as Coach Benninger works diligently to complete the 2022 schedule and get the Falcons soaring on the pitch.鈥�
