Natalie Benson

Biography

THE BENSON FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Hometown: La Habra, Calif. High School: Rosary High School Family - Husband: Eric - Daughters: Elise and Claire EDUCATION UCLA 2006 Bachelors in History Marist College 2017 Masters in Public Administration COACHING HISTORY Overall Collegiate Head Coach Record: 170-128 Record at Fresno State: 114-79 Fresno State Head Coach 2016-Present Marist College Head Coach 2013-2016 UCLA Undergraduate Assistant 2006 Huntington Beach Water Polo 2011: Junior Olympics - Gold 2011: Doc Hunkler Distinguished Coach Award 2012: Junior Olympics - Silver 2013: Junior Olympics - Silver 2013: UANA Pan-Am Youth Championships (17U) - Gold PLAYING EXPERIENCE UCLA (2001-05) 3-Time National Champion (2001, 2003, 2005) 2005: Cutino Award - National Player of the Year Olympics 2004: Athens - Bronze 2008: Beijing - Silver World Championships 2003: Barcelona - Gold 2005: Montreal - Silver 2007: Melbourne - Gold Last Updated: December 15, 2025 Natalie Benson enters her ninth year as head coach of the Fresno State water polo program in 2026, being hired as the program's coach for its inaugural season. She was hired on June 16, 2016. In her seven years at the helm, Benson has led the Bulldogs to a 114-79 overall record. Since its first season in 2018, Fresno State has won four Golden Coast Conference championship titles in four-straight years (2021-24). Under Benson’s command, the Bulldog water polo program has been ranked in the Top 10 nationally for 75 consecutive weeks, d