Meet the Coaches: Coach Ben

Coach Ben has an extraordinary ability to connect with kids, especially those who may need a little extra patience, reassurance, or support. When an athlete is anxious, doubtful, frustrated, or simply having a tough day, he has a way of slowing things down, helping them regain control, and getting them moving forward again.

His patience is second to none. Coach Ben has a genuine ability to find something positive and a lesson in almost every situation. He believes things will work out, believes deeply in his athletes, and that hopeful perspective has a way of rubbing off on the kids around him.

But patience doesn’t mean lowering expectations. Coach Ben isn’t afraid of tough conversations when they are needed. He challenges athletes to become the best versions of themselves, sometimes believing in what they are capable of before they believe it themselves. Every conversation comes from a place of genuinely wanting what is best for the kid.

His extensive background in the medical field also brings a unique level of expertise to EDT. Coach Ben takes a holistic approach to coaching, looking beyond workouts and race results to the overall physical and emotional well-being of each athlete.

Whether an athlete needs a push, a little perspective, or simply someone who will patiently listen, Coach Ben has a remarkable ability to meet them where they are and help them take the next step.

Throughout our Meet the Coaches series, we asked each EDT coach the same questions. Some are about coaching and running, some are a little more personal, and some are just for fun. Here’s your chance to get to know Coach Ben a little better!

1. What’s your “why” for coaching? What keeps you coming back season after season?

I keep coming back to EDT because of the family environment and positivity. I also love watching these athletes put the work in every day and then accomplish things they didn’t know were possible.

2. What’s one thing you hope every athlete learns from you that has absolutely nothing to do with running?

It doesn’t matter what the task or activity is. When you do something, do it in a way that makes “tomorrow you” proud.

3. Finish this sentence: A great coach is someone who ________.

A great coach is someone who listens, motivates, recognizes the effort, and then celebrates with you. A great coach participates in the pursuit of the athlete’s goals.

4. What’s your favorite part of coaching that parents or athletes probably don’t realize you love?

Watching athletes accomplish something they didn’t think was possible. There’s a look on their face when they cross the line and see the result, right before they realize they’ve succeeded.

That is the moment I chase. It’s a fraction of time, but when you see it and you’re part of the accomplishment, it’s so profound.

5. If you could give every young runner one piece of advice and make sure they actually listened, what would it be?

Learn to love the process. Once that happens, the results come along.

6. You get the aux cord at practice. What song are you playing to get the team fired up?

“Eye of the Tiger.” Duh.

7. Pick your coaching superpower: unlimited patience, perfect weather every practice, athletes who always remember their watches, or the ability to instantly heal every little ache and pain?

Unlimited patience.

Perfect weather every practice means we don’t learn to race in adverse conditions. With the aches and pains come the feelings of accomplishment and knowing, “I did something.”

8. What were you like as a kid/young athlete?

I tried to be the clown in class, but when I got to practice, it was like a switch flipped and I became an animal.

It wasn’t always helpful because I only learned later that I needed to run hard on the hard days and easy on the easy days.

9. What’s one random thing about you that would probably surprise the EDT kids?

I love to cook: BENana Bread, BENwiches, breakfast, lunch, dinner... I cook it all.

10. Rapid fire!

Early-morning run or evening run? Early morning.Track or XC? Depends on the month.Hills or intervals? Hills.Hot or cold? Chilly, but not freeze-my-face-off cold.Race day or practice day? Race day.Short shorts or absolutely not? Nope. Absolutely not.

11. What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard an athlete say during practice or a race?

We’ll have to get back to you on this one!

12. If you weren’t coaching, what would you probably be doing with all those extra hours?

Training for my next race.

13. What’s one coaching hill you’re willing to die on, no matter what anyone else says?

Skittles, or a similar sugar blast, about 15 minutes before a race.

14. You can steal one trait from any athlete you’ve ever coached and give it to every kid on the team. What trait are you picking?

A great attitude and the willingness to “do one more.”

15. What’s your perfect post-race meal after a long day of coaching and running all over a cross-country course?

The Ben-wich. It’s a grilled cheese sandwich with two eggs in it.

16. What’s your most embarrassing running or coaching moment that you’re willing to admit publicly?

I rounded the last corner of a cross-country race and projectile vomited a mass of stomach contents, nearly hitting the spectators lining the last few meters of the race.

17. If the athletes got to make one team rule that you had to follow, what do you think they’d choose?

Welcoming your teammates at the finish line.

18. What’s something you’re embarrassingly bad at that everyone assumes a functioning adult should know how to do?

Apparently, Coach Ben is keeping this one classified.

19. What’s a coaching moment you know you’ll remember for the rest of your life?

There are too many still being made to pick just one.

20. What do you hope your athletes remember about you years from now?

I have no idea! I’m not sure what athletes remember about me now, let alone years from now.

Maybe... that I always believed in them and always showed them they had just a bit more to give.

21. Who had the biggest impact on the person or coach you are today, and why?

Mike Renes, my high school coach. He showed me that my limits are largely created by me.

22. What’s a moment with an athlete that reminded you exactly why you chose to coach?

When I hear an athlete use my own words, something I’ve said in the past. It might be shared with another athlete or shared back with me.

23. When your coaching days are eventually over, what do you hope you left behind in the athletes you worked with?

Positive memories and good feelings about running when athletes reflect upon their time with EDT.