Stephens College

Richard Benge joined the Stephens College women's soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2026, bringing 10 years of coaching experience at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels.

Benge arrives at Stephens after spending the previous four years coaching full-time in collegiate soccer. Most recently, he helped establish both the men's and women's soccer programs at Connors State College in Oklahoma. During his three seasons with the Cowboys, the men's team qualified for the NJCAA Region 2 Tournament each year. He also played a key role in goalkeeper development, coaching an All-Region selection, an NJCAA National Goalkeeper of the Week honoree, and helping four goalkeepers advance to NAIA programs.

Prior to Connors State, Benge served as an assistant coach at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. His work with the goalkeepers contributed to a 33 percent reduction in goals allowed while helping the program record its highest shutout total since 2009.

A native of Mineral Ridge, Ohio, Benge earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Youngstown State University and a master's degree in Sport and Recreation Management from Kent State University.