Ben Madsen Named Fifth Head Coach of Murray State Women’s Soccer

12/23/2025 7:19:00 AM | General, Women's Soccer

Long-time Auburn assistant coach has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments throughout his career

Ben Madsen, a former SEC and Big 12 assistant coach and highly-respected defensive mind, has been tabbed as Murray State women's soccer's fifth head coach in program history, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon. The contract is subject to approval by the Murray State Board of Regents and a formal background check.

Madsen, who spent the last 14 seasons on the sidelines at Auburn University, has guided his teams to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including runs to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.

"Coach Ben Madsen made a strong impression on us throughout the interview process, and his ability to evaluate and develop talent, relentlessly recruit and build positive relationships is why we have chosen him to lead the Racer soccer program," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "He boasts a winning pedigree that includes deep postseason runs, and he has coached numerous All-Conference and All-American performers. We are thrilled to welcome Coach Madsen, his wife Ann, and their children Maggie and Beckett, to the Racer Family."

"This is an exciting time for Racer soccer, and I want to extend a warm welcome from everyone at Murray State University to head coach Ben Madsen and his family," Murray State University President Dr. Ron Patterson said. "His experience around the game of soccer and his strong resume are both extremely impressive, and we are excited to watch him elevate our program to new heights."

The Tigers made consistent improvements along the defensive front thanks his ability to develop top talent, including a two-time All-American in Kala Faulkner (2014 and 2015) and SEC Defender of the Year and Second Team All-American in Alyssa Malonson (2021).

Madsen coached 16 All-SEC selections, including five first team selections, along with multiple Conference performers of the Year, All-Region selections and All-America selections.

He also coached goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, who set the program standard with 36 career shutouts before signing a professional contract with the NWSL's Seattle Reign following her standout collegiate career.

"I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be the next head coach of Murray State women's soccer and am thrilled for my family to be part of Racer Nation," Madsen said. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Nico Yantko, University President Dr. Ron Patterson, and everyone involved with this process for putting their faith in me to lead our soccer program. There is a great foundation built for this program, and I am excited to get to work with our student-athletes and implement our plan to compete for and win championships in the Missouri Valley Conference."

Auburn ranked in the top half of the SEC in both goals against average and shutout percentage eight times in Madsen's tenure, including every year from 2013-16. Before Madsen arrived, the Tigers were eighth in defense in 2011.

From 2020-24, his defenses held opponents under 25 goals per year, including 20 or less in three of those campaigns. In that same stretch the defense and goalkeepers secured an impressive .992 Goals Against Average.

Powered by Madsen's coaching prowess, the Tigers turned in five of the top 10 goals against averages as well as five of the top 10 shutout totals in program history.

Prior to arriving at Auburn, Madsen was the recruiting coordinator and goalkeepers coach at Iowa State and helped bring a recruiting class that increased the program's win total for three straight seasons from 2009-11. In 2011, the ISU club tied the program record for shutouts in a season with nine and he coached goalkeeper Maddie Jobe to two Big 12 Player of the Week awards. On the recruiting trail, his 2010 freshman class accounted for 92 percent of the team's points and scored every goal in Big 12 conference play.

Prior to ISU, Madsen was an assistant at the University of South Alabama from 2004-08. During his stay in Mobile, the team made four Sun Belt Conference tournament appearances and finished as the conference runner-up in 2005. He also coached the 2004 First Team All-Sunbelt goalkeeper.

Madsen started his coaching career with the Lincoln College men's team from 2002-03 before moving on to Alabama-Huntsville from 2003-04. At Lincoln he trained the 2002 Collegiate Conference of Central Illinois First Team All-Conference goalkeeper while at UAH he recruited the 2004 Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year.

The Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, native earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Lincoln Memorial University in 2003, where he also played from 1998-01. He has a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and a NSCAA National Goalkeeper Diploma.

Madsen and his wife, Ann, have a daughter, Margaret Kate (Maggie) and a son, Beckett.

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