University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Nick Benedetto, who played for the 2006 and 2009 national champions at the University of Sioux Falls, is in his third season as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at USF.

During his tenure of leading the USF defense, Benedetto has consistently directed a unit among the best in the NSIC. During his time at USF, the Cougars have a 16-7 overall mark and advanced to the NCAA DII playoffs in 2017. He is part of a staff and team that has sustained the program's incredible 25-year consecutive streak of winning seasons. He has had six All-NSIC performers with two being first team (Hakeem Johnson in 2018 and Dennis Gardeck in 2017) and eight earning second team with two meriting honorable mention honors.Hakeem Johnson was named Honorable Mention All-American by Don Hansen. Six other student-athletes were named Academic All-NSIC.

In 2018, USF, which finished 7-4 and tied for second in the NSIC South (5-2), ranked third in the NSIC and 19th in DII in scoring defense(19.0 ppg); fourth in the NSIC and 54th in DII in total defense (338.0); fourth in the NSIC in  interceptions (14) and second in the NSIC and 31st in DII in turnover margin at plus-seven or .64 per game.USF fifth in pass efficiency defense (114.5), third in the NSIC and 21st in DII in red zone defense (.667) while ranking fifth in first downs allowed (214 - 73 by rushing).

In his first season with the Cougars, Benedetto was a member of the coaching staff for a USF team that finished 9-3 with a fourth straight postseason appearance. The Cougars finished third (9-2) in the NSIC overall, made a third straight DII playoff appearance and attained a final ranking of No. 20 in the AFCA Poll. The Cougars have been ranked in 48 consecutive national polls (AFCA, D2Football.com).

The Cougars recorded a 24th consecutive winning season, which ranks fifth across all levels. In the playoffs, the Cougars dropped a heart-breaking 24-20 road DII playoff loss at No. 5 ranked Midwestern State. All three losses (Midwestern State, Minnesota State and Winona State) were to teams ranked in the AFCA final Top 20.

Under Benedetto's direction, USF fielded one of the nation's best defenses in 2017, ranking in second total defense (244.3 yards per game), second in scoring defense (12.5 ppg), third in rushing yards per game (67.8 yards per game), seventh in first down defense (158) and ninth in sacks (3.33 per game, 40 total). USF led the NSIC in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, sacks, and was second in first downs allowed.  

One of the standouts on the USF defense was first-team All-NSIC selection Dennis Gardeck, who has been signed to a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. Gardeck, who was selected the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Gardeck was later named to five All-American squads, including first team on the DII Associated Press and DII Conference Commissioner's Association Teams, and second team on the AFCA, D2Football.com and Don Hansen squads. Gardeck was also a candidate for the Harlon Hill trophy and a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award.  Among those on defense named All-NSIC included defensive back Joshua Butler, linebacker Kyle Campiotti linebacker Michael Atonio, defensive end Derek Landis, defensive lineman Logan Dykstra, defensive back Ayinde Warren, and defensive lineman Brian Mayberry.

Defensive back Austin Schaffer was named first team CoSiDA Academic All-Americans, along with tight end Nick Stanke, becoming the program's first-ever first team picks. 
 
Benedetto, who served four seasons as an assistant coach for Anderson at West Virginia State, including three as defensive coordinator, returned to his alma mater in 2017. He served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach 2013 at WVSU, whose defense ranked 11th nationally in interceptions in NCAA DII.
 
An outstanding recruiter, Benedetto, a native of Crystal Lake, Ill., was selected as one of the "Top 30 under 30" coaches in the country by the American Football Coaches Association and the NCAA in 2015. He was just one of two Division II coaches honored with the prestigious recognition from more than 300 coaches up for the recognition.  
 
He is a 2009 graduate of USF (B.S., Mathematics), who earned a Master's degree in sports management in 2011 from USD.  
 
Prior to joining Anderson at West Virginia State, he was defensive backs coach at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa in 2012, helping that team win Mid-States Football Association championship.  He coached a defensive unit that finished seventh in the country in total points allowed per game. Wng a major role, Grand View earned its highest national ranking, including five weeks in the top 10 and the top-25 all season. Benedetto coached three defensive backs that earned all-league recognition in 2012.

In addition, Benedetto spent two seasons (2010, 2011) as the safeties coach for the University of South Dakota, a Division I, FCS school. At USD, two of his players were named to the Great West All-Conference team. In 2011, USD was ranked in the FCS top-25 in 10 of 11 weeks. The Coyotes defeated then top-ranked Eastern Washington and FBS opponent, University of Minnesota.
 
Before he moved into the coaching ranks Benedetto was a standout defensive back for the Cougars, serving as captain on the defense for the 2008 team that won the school's third NAIA national championship in a 14-0 season. Benedetto was part of one of the school's best defenses in school history as the team was ranked first nationally in nine (10 total) statistical categories. A part of the 2006 team that also won a NAIA championship, Benedetto also started for the 13-1 team in 2007 that finished the regular season unbeaten and lost only in the title game, leaving them 1 short of a three-peat. Overall, Benedetto played on teams that won 52-of-55 games during his playing career.
 
Following his collegiate career, Benedetto played for the Sioux Falls Storm during the 2009 season. 
 
He is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the American Football Coaches' Association.
 
Nick and his wife Kelsey reside in Sioux Falls and have two boys, Rocco and Ace.