James Benford
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- Title:
- Assistant Coach
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- Phone:
- 402-557-7059
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- Email:
- jbenford@bellevue.edu
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- Year:
- 8th season
James Benford will enter his eighth season as an assistant coach on the Bruin coaching staff in the 2023-24 season.
Coach Benford – who goes by Ice – began his coaching career in 2003 coaching boys' basketball for College Prospects of America before moving on to Heartland Premiere from 2005-06, and Midwest Stars in 2008.
Since 2006, Benford has served as the assistant girls' basketball coach at Bellevue East High School. During a six-year span, beginning in 2006, he coached with longtime friend, Scott Jensen, and helped lead the Chieftains to over 120 victories and a pair of state championships.
Benford began his own girls' select program, Retro Hoops, in 2009. Benford maintains that it had been a goal of his to, "start my own program that allowed players to showcase their basketball talents and abilities; opening the door to higher education and athletic opportunities."
Benford played collegiately at Bellevue (then-Bellevue College) for Hall of Fame coach Jerry Mosser from 1987-90 and the 1991-92 season. He started every game of his Bruin career and was voted a team captain by the coaches and players in three seasons. During his junior season he was selected to play in an All-Star Game and was named MVP of the Peru State College Tournament as a senior. Benford ranks among the program's all-time leaders in five categories; steals (2nd, 208), assists (4th, 440), blocked shots (7th, 47), free throws made (8th, 243), and defensive rebounds (10th, 310).
Benford resides in Bellevue, Neb., with his wife, Kara. Together they have two children, DaRelle and Tanisha (both Bellevue University graduates), and four grandchildren, Brekyn, Janoah, Josiyah, and Amiyah.
