PELLA—A football coaching veteran with experience at programs in multiple divisions, Central College grad Ben Hodges is returning to campus as the new football defensive coordinator.
           
A 2006 honors graduate, Hodges most recently served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Murray State University (Ky.) for the past four seasons. His offense led the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring in 2021.
           

But he has defensive experience as well. He was inside linebackers coach at The Citadel (S.C.) in 2019, where one of his players was the Southern Conference defensive player of the year and received all-America distinction.  and linebackers and special teams coach at Saginaw Valley State University (Mich.) in 2018. Hodges was the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Western Illinois University in 2017 after serving there as running backs coach and co-special teams coordinator in 2016. He spent four months at Ohio State University that year working with special teams quality control.
           
His longest stint was at Eastern Kentucky University, where he served from 2006-16 in various roles, including working with special teams, tight ends, wide receivers and outside linebackers while also serving as recruiting and video coordinator. During his tenure, the Colonels made four NCAA FCS playoff appearances and captured three Ohio Valley Conference championships.
           
"Ben brings a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience," coach Jeff McMartin said. "He's worked for a number of different coaches and I think those are good things to bring into our program. We're excited about his knowledge and his passion for the game of football."
           
But Hodges also has strong ties to Central. He was a student assistant for the Dutch for four seasons, including the first two years of McMartin's head coaching tenure. His older brother, Bob, was an offensive lineman for the Dutch, graduating in 2003. And his father, Mike Hodges is a 1975 grad and played fullback on Central's 1974 NCAA Division III championship squad.
           
"He has a lot of Central connections," McMartin said. "This place means something to him on a personal level. He shares our values and understands our culture. He will have a big impact."
           
Hodges is already on campus and eager to work with the 2024 squad.
           
"It's exciting to be back," he said. "I've been away for a while so it's kind of like coming back home. It's good to see familiar faces and things that have stayed the same, yet also a lot of things have changed and improved. It's an exciting time to be back in Pella."
           
He's also enthused to help continue building on Central's storied football legacy. The Dutch have compiled the fifth-winningest program in college football since 1961.
           
"It's good to be around Coach Mac and his staff at a place that has meant a lot to me for a long time, to build on the tradition that exists and put our own stamp on it," Hodges said.
           
Hodges joins Michael Chorowicz as a new coordinator on the Dutch staff as they prepare to begin spring practices in late March. Chorowicz was recently promoted to offensive coordinator after serving as receivers coach.
           
"To get both of our coordinators in place before we go to spring practice is certainly what we wanted to have happen because it allows us to install the things we want to start work on heading into the fall," McMartin said.
           
The Dutch are expected to return at least 14 starters from a squad that posted an 8-2 record last fall.