Nick Benedetto

Biography

THE BENEDETTO FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: Crystal Lake, Ill. High School: Crystal Lake South High School Family - Wife: Kelsey - Children: Rocco, Ace, Amara EDUCATION University of Sioux Falls - Bachelors in Mathematics (2009) South Dakota - Masters in Sports Management (2011) COACHING HISTORY Fresno State 2025-Pres.: Defensive coordinator/safeties Northern Illinois 2022-24: Defensive coordinator/Safeties Samford University 2020-22: Defensive coordinator University of Sioux Falls 2017-19: Defensive coordinator West Virginia State 2013-16: Defensive coordinator/defensive backs/ recruiting coordinator Grand View University 2012: Special teams coordinator/defensive backs University of South Dakota 2010-11: Graduate Assistant PLAYING EXPERIENCE University of Sioux Falls Defensive back 2005-08 2008 NAIA National Champions team captain Last Updated: February 6, 2026 Nick Benedetto was hired as the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator on December 28, 2024. Benedetto will also coach the safeties at Fresno State. After his first season on staff, he added the title of Associate Head Coach to his title. Benedetto led one of the top defenses in the FBS in his first season as Fresno State ranked 10th in the country allowing an average of 285.7 yards per game in 2025. Fresno State was 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game. Benedetto was one of four FBS defensive coordinators to be in the Top 20 in those two statistical categories in each of the last two seaso