Ball State University Athletics
MBB Adds Former Cardinal Michael Bennett To Staff
September 01, 2011 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State men's basketball head coach Billy Taylor announced the addition of former Cardinal Michael Bennett to the staff as video coordinator Thursday morning. Bennett is the second former player on the Ball State staff joining Mickey Hosier (1997-2000) who was promoted to director of basketball operations this summer.
"I am excited to welcome back former Cardinal Michael Bennett," Taylor said. "Michael had a very successful career both on the court and in the classroom at Ball State. He will serve as a valuable resource for our current student-athletes."
Bennett was a four-year letterwinner from 2000-2005 and is making his second stint on the Cardinals' staff. He served as the director of basketball operations during the 2005-06 season under former head coach Tim Buckley.
"I am appreciative of this opportunity to join Coach Taylor and his staff," Bennett said. "I am excited to be back here in Muncie and at Ball State. It's always good to come back to your alma mater and join a staff that has the program you competed for going in the right direction. I look forward to being a Cardinal once again and am excited to help Coach Taylor continue the program's rise this year."
Since his first stint at BSU, Bennett has held coaching positions as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at Brebeuf Jesuit (2010-11), an assistant varsity coach at Carmel High School (2009-10) and an assistant varsity coach at Alexandria Monroe (2007-08), while also working outside of basketball in different capacities.
Bennett played in 115 games during his BSU career, including 28 games as a senior in 2004-05. He averaged 14.7 minutes per game during his career and was part of the 2001-02 team that defeated two top-five teams at the Maui Invitational and was ranked as high as No. 15 during the season. During his career he was a two-time recipient of the Cardinals' Shine Johnson Most Improved Player award. He received his bachelor's degree in general studies from Ball State in 2004.
"I am so thankful in the interest from former Cardinals to return to Ball State," Taylor said. "It speaks highly about their student-athlete experience that they are willing to return to their alma mater to continue to make a positive impact for Ball State."
Prior to Ball State, Bennett was as standout at Brebeuf High School where he helped it to the Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 3A State Championship. He was named an Indiana All-Star his senior season and was an Associated Press All-State Second Team selection.
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