Coach's Corner: Luke Bentley

Coach Luke Bentley, head men's volleyball coach at William Penn University, sits down with WinWon's Head of Product and Design Grant Biles and shares not only how he started the program, but also how they became a national contender.

‍From Scratch to Success: Luke Bentley Join's Coach's Corner

‍In the world of college sports, building a program from the ground up is no small feat. Yet, that's exactly what Luke Bentley, head Men's Volleyball coach at William Penn University, has accomplished in just six short years. From a humble 2-9 record in their inaugural season to an impressive 24-7 last year, Bentley's team has become a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.

A Chicago native, Bentley's journey to William Penn wasn't a straight shot. "I grew up in Chicago. I was born and raised in the city and lived there all the way through high school," Bentley recalls. After playing volleyball through high school, he took a different path in college, serving as the women's volleyball team's student manager. "That's actually where I got the coaching bug," Bentley reflects. This experience sparked a passion that would shape his future career.

After college, Bentley's path wound through various coaching experiences. "I did a little high school coaching and then I was a graduate assistant, which is a really common title in the small college athletic world, where I was fortunate enough to be able to get my master's degree," he explains. This journey eventually led him to William Penn, where he was tasked with building a men's volleyball program from scratch. The challenge of recruiting for a non-existent team was daunting.

His pitch to potential players was simple, yet compelling: "Do you want to be a part of something brand new? Do you want to be a part of something historic?" This appeal to early players paid off, attracting a core group of freshmen ready to make history.

Bentley's success isn't just about wins and losses. He emphasizes the importance of recruiting passionate players who can balance athletics, academics, and personal life. The supportive environment at William Penn has been crucial to the team's growth. "From day one, I mean, from just me physically being on campus without a team, and then even with having a team, the support we felt from our administration, including our president and then our athletic director, has been really incredible," Bentley shares. He describes a tight-knit, family-like atmosphere that has embraced the new program wholeheartedly.

"It's a really small campus community. William Penn is in a small town in South East Central Iowa, but they're really supportive of our university." Both the on-campus and local community rally behind the team. Bentley notes, "Over the past six years, our program has picked up some steam and momentum. We have support and I think we're one of the favorite teams to watch on campus." Perhaps most surprising to Bentley has been the reception of men's volleyball in a region where it's not traditionally popular. "It almost seems like we've been here forever," he marvels, noting the ease with which the program has integrated into the university's fabric. "That's probably the biggest thing. It hasn't felt like it's only been a few years."

Looking to the future, Bentley's ambitions are clear. "We would love to win a national championship," he states, adding that they came close last year. "We went all the way to the national semifinals and lost by two points. So we're getting there. You know, we feel like we made a pretty good run last year." Beyond the court, Bentley's ultimate goal remains unchanged: to support his student-athletes. He emphasizes, "The goal is always going to be the same for us, which is to graduate our student athletes and help them be successful in whatever they do next."

For aspiring coaches, Bentley offers encouraging words: "Don't worry about whether you played at the highest level. You can still be a great coach." And for student-athletes interested in playing volleyball at the college level, he advises being proactive in the recruiting process, directly contacting coaches, and paying attention to details (even small things like spelling and grammar) in their communications.

From a fledgling program to a national contender, Luke Bentley's journey with William Penn's Men's Volleyball team is a testament to both perseverance and the power of community support. It's a story that's still being written, with each season adding a new, exciting chapter in the world of college volleyball.