SEWARD, Neb. – Alum Benjamin Hinckfoot will make his return to Concordia University, Nebraska. The Concordia Track & Field program has announced Hinckfoot as the newest member of the coaching staff. Hinckfoot will work specifically with Bulldog jumps and multi-event athletes while officially beginning his new role on Jan. 6. Originally from Colorado Springs, Colo., Hinckfoot previously served as an assistant coach at Concordia University, Irvine (CUI).
The 2013-14 Concordia Senior Athlete of the Year is ecstatic to return to the place where he earned seven All-America awards as a student-athlete.
Wrote Hinckfoot in a statement, “Concordia University Nebraska holds a special place in my heart. It really feels like I am coming back home. I am excited to get to work with an amazing coaching staff and group of student-athletes. I put in a lot of hard work and time as a bulldog student-athlete and I am ready and energized to do the same as a coach. My goal as a coach is to help my student-athletes grow in mind, body and spirit. I also want to win. I look forward to helping the student-athletes in my care learn more about who they are and what they can accomplish when they work hard and serve the Lord. I am incredibly humbled to have this opportunity and am so grateful to Coach Beisel and the CUNE community.”
Hinckfoot joins a coaching staff that includes full-time members in Head Coach Matt Beisel and assistants Ed McLaughlin and Mark Samuels. An opening arose when Wayne Earney resigned his position at Concordia. Beisel is thankful to have had Earney on staff since 2017 and now looks forward to welcoming Hinckfoot back to Seward.
Wrote Beisel, “I am so grateful to God that He has called Ben to Concordia University, Nebraska. As a former standout Concordia Bulldog, he brings a deep understanding of our school and team culture to the table that are invaluable. He is exceptionally relational, and this is a quality we always want in our coaches. Building meaningful and trusting relationships between coaches and athletes not only helps athletes achieve and exceed performance goals, it helps achieve our higher purpose – to be mentors and servants in the name of Christ to these young men and women, as they are stretched by life circumstances during their college time. Hinckfoot has a heart for ministry and service, which was evident during the entire interview process, and his faith in Christ is one that he’s outspoken about. Coach Wayne Earney was an awesome coach and helped us for three-and-a-half years to take our athletes to the next level, and now Ben is going to continue and expand upon that great work. We can’t wait to get him here and see what he can do.”
Hinckfoot earned high praise for his work at CUI, where he began his service as a graduate assistant in 2017 before being promoted to a full-time role. At CUI, Hinckfoot worked under Head Coach Keegan Bloomfield, another CUNE alum. In his time with the Eagles, Hinckfoot coached athletes who combined for 14 school records and two All-America awards. In a release on the CUI website, Bloomfield described Hinckfoot as an “amazing coach and an even better person.”
Not only did Hinckfoot collect seven All-America honors as a Bulldog athlete, he also racked up four GPAC event titles, 17 all-conference finishes and two CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team selections. He continues to own the program record in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 52.14. At the time of graduation, Hinckfoot also stood at No. 1 on the school’s all-time list as part of an outdoor 4x400 meter relay team (now No. 2). Hinckfoot earned his All-America plaques in the 110 hurdles (twice), 400 hurdles (twice) and 4x4 (three times). With Hinckfoot leading the way, the Concordia men swept GPAC indoor/outdoor team titles in 2014. Hinckfoot was coached most closely by Samuels. Dr. Kregg Einspahr served as head coach during Hinckfoot’s athletic career (2011-14).
Wrote Samuels, “I couldn’t be happier to have Ben come back to Concordia. Having watched him develop as a coach from afar, having witnessed his unwavering belief in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and knowing his passion for Concordia as a Bulldog Track & Field alum, I believe there truly couldn’t be a more perfect fit for this position. Having had the opportunity to coach Ben while he was an athlete here and now to have him come back and coach together here is pretty special.”
Hinckfoot graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. He earned his Master of Science in Coaching and Exercise Science from Concordia University, Irvine in 2019.