Ben Beasley is in his fifth season on the Sam Houston staff.
The past two years, as the Bearkats have rolled up a 25-5 overall record and posted consecutive Southland Conference titles and NCAA championship finals appearances, Beasley's SHSU secondary has played a major role in the team's success.
Safety Darnell Taylor earned Southland "Defensive Player of the Year" honors both seasons. Taylor and defensive backs Kenneth Jenkins, Dax Swanson and Bookie Sneed all have earned either first or second team All-Southland selection.
Beasley served as an assistant coach at Northwestern State from 2002 to 2008, working on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He also was the Demons’ recruiting and travel coordinator and worked with the kick return specialists. In 2002, the Demons tied the school record for sacks in a season (43) and led the Southland in rushing defense (99.4).
Northwestern State ranked No. 2 in the Southland and No. 21 nationally in punt returns (11.8) in 2002. The Demons led the league and was No. 7 nationally in 2003 (14.3).In 2004, he coached tight ends as Northwestern State ranked No. 9 nationally in rushing offense (248.4 yards) and 18th in scoring (33.4). The Demons posted four consecutive games with 40 or more points, an all-time Northwestern State best. Beasley moved back to defense in 2006 where he served as defensive secondary coach.
Prior to coming to Northwestern State, Beasley was a student assistant at McNeese State for two years. He worked with the defense on Cowboy squads that made consecutive NCAA Division I playoff appearances and shared the 2001 Southland championship with Sam Houston State. McNeese ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation in rushing defense both years and were No. 3 in total defense in 2001.
Beasley is a 2002 graduate of McNeese State with a bachelor’s degree in eduction with a concentration in health and human performance. His father was a high school coach in Texas for 35 years including 23 seasons at C. E. King High School in Houston.
Beasley and his wife Ellen have a daughter Sarah Jane.
