SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball program has announced the hiring of a new top assistant. Katherine Benes has assumed the role of Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach on Head Coach Drew Olson’s staff. Benes is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago and most recently served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis.
Benes fills the position formerly held by Tae’lor Purdy-Korell, who resigned for family reasons after 10 successful seasons with the Bulldogs. Benes looks forward to helping continue the program’s winning tradition while modeling its priorities of faith, family, academics and basketball.
Said Benes, “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join Concordia University, Nebraska and to serve within a Christ-centered community surrounded by like-minded individuals. Growing up in Lutheran schools shaped who I am today. My family’s deep roots in the Lutheran church drew me to CUNE, where I immediately felt part of something bigger than myself. Coach Olson’s mission to have a team rooted in Christ was clear from the start. What excites me most is the chance to invest in our student-athletes not only as basketball players, but most importantly as young women growing in faith. I am thankful to Coach Olson and the entire CUNE family for their warm welcome, and I feel blessed to be part of this mission-driven program.”
Said Olson, who will enter his 20th season at the helm of the program in 2025-26, “I am excited about Katherine Benes joining our program. She will be a great addition to the staff and will continue to give our players a Christian role model to look to. She is a person with incredible faith, toughness, work ethic and positive energy. Her passion for the game and commitment to player development will keep our program going the right direction.”
Olson also spoke to the positive impact of Purdy-Korell over her 10 seasons. Said Olson, “Coach Tae’lor has been a big part of our program’s culture and success over the last 10 years. I am sad to see her go but I know she is making a great decision for her family, a decision that demonstrates our team’s priorities of family over basketball. I am so grateful for Tae’lor’s incredible support and friendship along with the huge impact she has made on our players and this community.”
A native of Oconomowoc, Wis., Benes arrives at Concordia via Marian, where she worked as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Head Tennis Coach. Previously, Benes spent one year (2024-25) as Graduate Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Wisconsin Lutheran College and one season assisting the staff at Concordia Chicago as a student-athlete in 2022-23.
Benes played inside Friedrich Arena as a CUC student-athlete during the 2023 Concordia Invitational Tournament. She poured in 30 points in a CIT win over Concordia University Ann Arbor. In 16 games for the Cougars in 2022-23, Benes averaged 24.3 points per game while leading all NCAA Division III players in scoring average that season. Prior to college, she graduated from Lake Country Lutheran High School as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Benes battled through five knee surgeries in her athletic career.
A high achiever academically, Benes earned her Bachelor of Strategic Communications and Media from Concordia Chicago. She went on to acquire her Master’s in Sport Recreation and Management from Wisconsin Lutheran College.