Tony Benford Named Assistant Coach At Utah State
Utah State’s head men’s basketball coach Stew Morrill announced Wednesday the hiring of Tony Benford as an assistant coach for the Aggies. Benford replaces Don Holst who resigned following the 2005-06 season.
Benford spent eight seasons at Arizona State University, including the last two as an associate head coach, as he helped the Sun Devils advance to postseason play four times, including the 2003 NCAA Tournament, as ASU advanced to the second round.
“Tony Benford is an exciting addition to our coaching staff,” said Morrill. “He has been a successful Division I assistant coach for a long time and understands the position. Tony has recruited some great players through the years and has had valuable experience in every phase of coaching college basketball. He also brings high character, loyalty and enthusiasm to Utah State Basketball, and we are delighted to have him on board as an Aggie!”
During his time at Arizona State, Benford recruited and coached two Pac-10 Players of the Year in Eddie House (2000) and Ike Diogu (2005). He also recruited Jeff Pendergraph who was named to the Pac-10 all-freshman team this past season.
“I have known and respected Stew Morrill for a long time and I think he is one of the best minds in college basketball,” said Benford. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue to grow as a basketball coach and work for one of the best programs in the Western Athletic Conference in Utah State.”
Prior to his eight-year stint at Arizona State, Benford spent six seasons (1992-98) at the University of New Mexico, helping the Lobos advance to the NCAA Tournament five times. During that time period, New Mexico’s overall record was 139-51 (.732), as the Lobos won two Western Athletic Conference tournament championships in 1993 and 1996, and one regular season WAC title in 1994.
Benford began his coaching career in the junior high school ranks as he spent four years as the head coach at the All Saints School in Lubbock, Texas before being named an assistant at New Mexico.
Benford, who graduated from Texas Tech University in 1992 with a degree in physical education, led the Red Raiders to the Southwest Conference title in 1985 and back-to-back SWC tournament titles in 1985 and 1986. During his senior year at Texas Tech, Benford earned all-league honors as well as being named the Most Valuable Player of the 1986 Southwest Conference Tournament.
Following his collegiate career, Benford was drafted in the fourth round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He then played professionally for Holland in the European League during the 1986-87 season before entering the coaching ranks.
Benford was born on Mar. 22, 1964 in Hobbs, N.M., and graduated from Hobbs High School in 1982 where he was named the New Mexico Player of the Year and a Converse High School All-American as he averaged 27.5 points per game and led his team to the semifinals of the state tournament. Benford was also named the MVP of the 1981 state tournament as he scored 29 points in the championship game to lead his team to the title.
Benford and his wife Deborah have two daughters, Audriana (17) and Milena (9), and one son, Tony, Jr. (14). Benford also has a son, Jeremy (24), who played basketball at New Mexico Highlands University.