NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- Westminster College Director of Athletics Jason Lener '93 announced Monday that head football coach Scott Benzel has accepted a position on Manny Diaz's staff at Duke University. Offensive coordinator EJ White will serve as interim head coach as the College launches a nationwide search for its next leader.
 
"I want to thank the Westminster community for all the support given to me and my family over our 12 seasons. Being part of the Titan football tradition has been truly special. Westminster will forever be a part of us, and I'm excited to watch the continued success of the program and the standard that Titan football demands," said Benzel.
 
Benzel, who completed his 12th season leading the Titan program in November, has produced a remarkable run of sustained success – both on and off the field – since becoming the head coach in January 2014.
 
"When Coach Benzel was hired, our football program was facing significant challenges. Throughout his tenure, he restored its respectability and consistently positioned us among the top programs in the Presidents' Athletic Conference," said Lener. "Titan football is in a strong place today and we are deeply grateful to Coach Benzel for the leadership, stability, and success he brought to our program. On both a personal and professional level, I have truly valued the opportunity to work alongside him, and we wish Coach, Cyndi, Baylee, and Everett all the very best in this next chapter."
 
Benzel led Westminster to PAC titles in the unprecedented 2020-21 spring COVID-19 season and the 2021 fall season. His 85 wins rank No. 3 on the College's all-time victories list, trailing only College Football Hall of Famers Joe Fusco, who posted 154 wins between 1972-90, and Harold Burry, who finished with 127 wins between 1952-71. The pair combined to win five of Westminster's six National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division III championships (1970, 1976, 1977, 1988, 1989).
 
Westminster wrapped up its 2025 season with an 8-3 record. It was the sixth season winning eight or more games under Benzel's watch. Some of his finest work came late in the season with a 24-8 (.750) record in November games, which includes back-to-back wins in the Opendorse Bowl Series' Extra Points Bowl in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
 
Westminster has also thrived academically under Benzel, with over 160 student-athletes qualifying for the PAC Academic Honor Roll, 29 named Academic All-District® and four earning Academic All-America® honors since 2014. Last April, eight players were honored by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) as members of the 2025 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of players who maintained a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average (GPA) or better throughout their college careers.
 
Benzel arrived in New Wilmington after serving as associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator at Saint Francis University, where he helped improve the Red Flash defense from 120th to 10th in total defense in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He joined head coach Chris Villarrial's staff in February 2012 after spending nine seasons, including a seven-year run as recruiting coordinator, as an assistant at Robert Morris University. Benzel was elevated to co-defensive coordinator in January 2009 by head coach Joe Walton.
 
"The search for our new head football coach is underway, and because of the strong foundation that's been built over the past 12 years, I am confident we will identify the right leader to honor and carry our rich traditions forward while driving our program to even greater success," said Lener.