Scottsbluff, NE – It came out of the blue, a 30 year career has come to an end. Late in the afternoon on Jan 8th Joe Benson informed Scottsbluff High School that he was resigning effective immediatly.

Soon after that AD Dave Hoxworth sent out an email explaining the situtation:

Good Afternoon,

The purpose of this email is to inform you that Coach Joe Benson has resigned his position as Head Football Coach at Scottsbluff High School.

This position will be opened up immediately and remain open until filled.

Coach Benson has agreed to help the team transition through the winter conditioning season, and our goal is to have a replacement for him as soon as possible.

Through Coach Benson’s 30 year career at Scottsbluff, Joe coached at the freshman level for 2 years and the last 28 years with the varsity program and the last 12 years as the head coach. Coach Benson compiled an 85-39 record as the head coach of the Bearcats. Prior to becoming the head coach, Joe served as the defensive coordinator for several years.

It is very difficult to lose a coach that has had such a positive impact on our football program for the last 30 years. Joe has a tireless work ethic and is a coach that truly loves the game of football, but most importantly, Coach Benson loved building relationships with our student-athletes and treating kids with a tremendous amount of respect. One of Joe’s greatest qualities was to get the absolute best from every athlete that competed on our football team. Coach Benson has a unique gift to place a player in positions on our football team that would directly impact the success of our team.

We wish Coach Benson the best and thank him and his family very much for the long-lasting impact and the sacrifices they have made that comes with the responsibility of being a head football coach.