Benedict leaves teaching/coaching, becomes MSHS Assistant Principal

By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

Thirty-four years ago, Chad Benedict was one of three sixth-graders at Mason City chosen to play for the school’s seventh-grade basketball team.

Each subsequent year, Benedict has been involved with the sport, either as a player or as a coach.

“I’ve been in school locker rooms since sixth grade,” Benedict said. “I don’t know what Thanksgiving or Christmas looks like without basketball.”

He’ll find out later this year.

Pending approval by the Mahomet-Seymour Board of Education at its April 16 meeting, Benedict will take over as assistant principal at the high school on July 1.

“I am beyond excited,” he said.

M-S’ boys’ basketball head coach for the past 12 years, Benedict made the announcement Monday morning during a basketball team meeting.

Not all of the squad members were surprised.

“There were some rumblings within the school,” Benedict acknowledged. “The day I was interviewed, a few (students) saw me in a suit in the middle of the day.

“I neither confirmed nor denied anything.”

A physical education instructor, Benedict’s attire during the school day is usually more along the lines of a sweat suit. He has served as division head for physical education, health and fine arts.

Benedict will fill a position that became vacant when current assistant principal Nathan Mills accepted the position as junior high principal. Mills replaces Heather Landrus, who resigned.

Earlier this decade, Benedict earned his administrative certificate. He finished work on his master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2011.

“I thought that later in my career, that (an administrative position) might be a possibility,” Benedict said.

The 45-year-old wasn’t planning on stepping aside this year, following a school-record fourth consecutive 20-win season.

“I have summer league teams signed up for Tuesday nights this summer,” Benedict said.

The M-S administrative position was posted around the time the Bulldogs were preparing for postseason play. Benedict kept his focus on the basketball team, which went on to capture a regional tournament title for the third time in the past four years.

“I wasn’t looking for it at this time in my life,” Benedict said. “I put it on the back burner.”

Once the high school season ended, Benedict did considerable soul-searching.

“The decision to apply was most agonizing because of how close it came after the end of the season,” he said. “I got an interview, and it started becoming very real.

“I went after it full bore. Each phase forced me into saying  ‘What’s next?’ “

By the time he was officially offered the job, Benedict had come to terms with the decision he was facing.

“I’m a faith guy, and about halfway through, God spoke to me and said this is what I want you to do,” Benedict said.

He becomes the second of three paid members of the boys’ basketball coaching staff to leave the program. Thirteen-year assistant Ryan Martin, the junior varsity head coach, previously resigned when he became the Assistant Principal at Middletown Prairie Elementary. 

The lone paid boys’ basketball assistant who remains is Eric Andracke.

A Monmouth College graduate, Benedict has spent 19 of his 23 years in education as a basketball head coach. He followed up on one year as a volunteer at Avon High School with a three-year stint as an assistant at his prep alma mater, Illini Central.

He spent seven years at Chrisman and the past 12 at M-S. His combined head coaching record is 334-215. He won his 200th game at M-S during the recently completed season.

One of Benedict’s duties next school year will be to handle discipline at the high school.

“You get labeled as the discipline guy, but there’s so much more to it than that,” he said. “While there is administrative work, it’s a very hands-on position with the students.”

Unlike the other job changes, this one comes with a perk for the Benedicts. They will not need to change their address.

“Becky (a second-grade teacher) and I really love Mahomet,” he said. “There are so many positives about the community.

“Mahomet is a fantastic place to raise our family.”

The couple’s eldest child, Noah, is a senior. Caleb is a sophomore and Faith is a second-grader.

“We want this to be home for a long time,” Chad Benedict said.

In a press release issued by the school district on Monday, high school principal Shannon Cheek and Board President Max McComb talked about how they were pleased with Chad Benedict’s promotion.

“Chad is a proven leader in our school, our district and our community,” Cheek said. “I am extremely excited to add him to our school’s leadership team.”

McComb expressed similar thoughts.

“Chad brings with him a proven record of integrity and leadership,” McComb said. “He is a wonderful addition to the district’s administrative team.”

Benedict’s annual salary will be $87,000.