University of St. Thomas Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Specialists
- Email:
- bjhanson1@stthomas.edu
- Phone:
- 651-962-7900
Ben Hanson enters his sixth season coaching with the Tommies in 2024. Hanson worked with the Specialists in 2023 after assisting with the offensive line in 2022. During that season, four players earned FCS All-Pioneer Honors (Matt Weimann, Alec Rasmussen, Shea Albrecht and Jason Laliberte). Weimann earned First Team All-Conference honors for the second consecutive season and was additionally voted the PFL Offensive Player of the Year. He also received Fourth Team All-America honors for his play at center. From 2019-21, Hanson serves as the Tommies tight ends coach, where Zach Bennett was named 2020-21 Division III Football Academic All-America. During the Tommie’s first season at the Division I level, Max Zimmerman earned All-Conference honors from the PFL.
Prior to his return to UST, Hanson coached 11 years at four different Twin Cities high schools as a varsity assistant and head coach. As the head coach at Eagan from 2017-18, Hanson helped the Wildcats earned Academic All-State Silver honors with a team GPA over 3.0 and also saw three individuals earned Academic All-State honors. As the defensive line coach for St. Thomas Academy, Hanson led the Cadets to the 2015 AAAAA State Championship game, and found similar success as the defensive coordinator at Minnehaha Academy. In 2014, the Minnehaha defense allowed just 13 points per game and forced 30 turnovers during the season. Additionally, his 2013 and 2014 teams earned Academic All-State Gold honors and 11 players earned All-Conference honors at the conclusion of those two seasons.
Hanson was a 4-year starter on the Offensive Line for the Tommie’s from 2003-2006, earning All-Conference honors his senior year. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from St. Thomas in 2007 and received his Master’s Degree in Education in 2015. He resides in Rosemount with his wife Chris and sons Chase (12) and Crosby (10).
