Benedictine Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer has announced the hiring of Rob Herringer as the next head coach to lead the Benedictine Men's Soccer program.

A 2000 graduate of Benedictine, where he also was a first-team All-Conference selection as a player, Coach Herringer returns to the program after previously serving as the head coach from 2004-2015.

"We are excited to welcome Rob and his family back to the Raven family," Gartenmayer said. "We believe he is the right fit to lead our men's program and bring the best out of our current roster while recruiting the next generation of Ravens that will continue to build a successful program in the Heart and the NAIA."

Before stepping aside from serving as the head coach in 2015, Coach Herringer helped guide the program to three Heart titles in 2009, 2012 and 2013 winning the double in 2012 as the Heart Tournament Champion as well. He is a 3-time Heart Coach of the Year (2009, 2012, 2013) and most recently was named the United Soccer Coaches Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award in 2023.

"First I would like to thank President [Stephen D.] Minnis and Charlie Gartenmayer for providing me with the opportunity to return to Benedictine as the Head Men's Soccer Coach," Coach Herringer said. "My family and I are grateful to return to a community that we hold very close to our hearts." 

During his time away from Benedictine, Coach Herringer served in multiple roles, all keeping him involved in soccer. He served as the Executive Director of the Elkhorn Soccer Club (2015-2019), Director of Soccer, Assistant Executive Director Elkhorn Athletic Association (2020-2023), Director of Coaching Education for the United Soccer Coaches (2023-2025) and most recently served as the Head of North American Recruitment, Education and Mentorship for Challenger Sports. In 2023, he began working with the KC Fusion Soccer Club as a trainer, team coach and ECNL Director.

"Having recently moved back to the Kansas City area, I have had the opportunity to reconnect with many former players and alumni," Coach Herringer said. "Those interactions got me thinking about returning to coaching a collegiate program, and the only place I saw myself coaching was Benedictine.

"Many former Benedictine players are now coaching in college programs, and I have had the opportunity to visit many of them. Seeing them work with their players and within their schools was a catalyst for me to get back into the college game."

In his first stint leading Benedictine Men's Soccer, Coach Herringer posted an overall record of 124-43-21 with a conference record of 54-19-9. The 115 wins stands as the most in program history while he also guided 8 NAIA All-Americans, 16 NAIA Scholar Athlete Selections and had four players reach the professional ranks (MLS, USL and MISL). 

Coach Herringer will begin his duties as the next Raven head coach on March 16 taking over for John Sosa, who announced he was stepping down from the program in January.

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