B.S., Springfield College, 1995
M.S., Springfield College, 1997
Darren Bennett has guided the Skidmore program since 2004, leading the team to back-to-back Liberty League Tournament appearances in 2009 and 2010 and its first ever Liberty League title and NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 2015. Bennett looks to add to a 13-season, 175-156 record at Skidmore, where he has coached 15 All-Liberty League players and one All-American.
Bennett led Skidmore to a 17-9 record in the 2016-2017 season, going a program-best 13-3 in Liberty League play, earning its second-ever regular season title. Bennett and his staff were named as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year for their efforts.
Bennett coached junior guard Kelly Donnelly to an incredible season, as she became the first Thoroughbred to earn back-to-back WBCA All-American honors. Donnelly was also named the Liberty League Player of the Year for the second season in a row.
In the 2015-2016 season, Bennett led the Thoroughbreds to 14 victories, coaching his first WBCA All-American, sophomore guard Kelly Donnelly. Donnelly was also named as the Co-Liberty League Player of the Year. Freshman guard Haley English was also named to the All-Rookie team.
Bennett and the Thoroughbreds broke through in the 2014-2015 season, going 17-11 and winning their first-ever Liberty League championship after a hard-fought, 67-62 double overtime victory at top-seeded St. Lawrence, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Bennett led the 2009-2010 team to a program-best 21-5 record, earning Bennett Liberty League Coach of the Year honors.
Bennett came to Skidmore after serving as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Michigan State University women's team.
Prior to Michigan State, Bennett spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Syracuse. He coached the Orange post players and was the team's recruiting coordinator. He was also involved in player evaluation, opponent scouting, and game-plan preparation. Bennett performed the duties of head coach, while Marianna Freeman was an assistant to the USA World Championship Team from Aug. 27 to Sept, 26, 2002.
Before Syracuse, Bennett was an assistant at Temple for two seasons and an assistant coach at his alma mater, Springfield College. At both Division I schools and Springfield he coached guard play, assisted in game preparation, and recruiting.
The Fitchburg, Mass. native was a member of Springfield's football team for four years and basketball team for three years.
Coach Bennett's Career At A Glance
Head Coach - Skidmore College
2004 - 2005 (10-15)
2005 - 2006 (10-15)
2006 - 2007 (12-13)
2007 - 2008 (13-12)
2008 - 2009 (11-15, Liberty League semifinalist)
2009 - 2010 (21-5, School Record for Wins, Liberty League finalist, Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year)
2010 - 2011 (12-12)
2011 - 2012 (15-10)
2012 - 2013 (12-14, Liberty League semifinalist)
2013 - 2014 (11-14)
2014 - 2015 (17-11, Liberty League Champions, NCAA First Round)
2015 - 2016 (14-11)
2016 - 2017 (17-9, Liberty League Regular Season Champions, Liberty League semifinalist, Most Wins in League Play (13), Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year)
