June 12, 2025

Congratulations to Ben Pennington, who has retired after 43 years with the Bettendorf Men's Soccer program..Ben concludes an amazing run with the Bulldogs, as the winningest head coach in Iowa history, culminating in 658 wins, 118 losses, and 29 ties.

Ben was born in West Germany, in 1953, and immigrated to the United States in 1962, lived in North Liberty, and graduated from Iowa City West, in 1972. Ben was a founding member of the Hawkeye Soccer Club while enrolled as a student at Iowa. He was hired by the Bettendorf School District to teach middle school social studies in the summer of 1978. He started his coaching career coaching middle school girls track, 7th grade football, and started a 6th grade boys soccer team. In the spring of 1982, he started the Bettendorf High School soccer program, immediately experiencing success.

1n 1987, the Mississippi Athletic Conference (MAC) recognized soccer as a conference sport for the first time; Iowa didn't host it's first State Tournament, however, until 1995. Bettendorf recorded three undefeated seasons between '82 and '95 (1982, 1986, 1995), and another in 1999, under Pennington.

During his career with the Bulldogs, his Varsity teams tallied 23 Conference Championships, and 3 State Championships. Ben also coached three National Soccer Coaches Association All-Americans. His Varsity teams won 647 wins, were dealt 115 losses, and also had 26 ties.

• MAC Championships: 2024, 2023, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987
• State Championships: 2004, 1999, 1995
  • State Runner-Ups: 2018, 2005, 2001, 1998
  • State Tournament Appearances: 20 
• NSCAA All-Americans: Tim Jackson (2004), Justin Langan (1999), David Wood (1998_

Coach Pennington has been a valuable and long-time member of both the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association, and the United Soccer Coaches Association (formerly NSCAA). Congratulations on your retirement, Ben, thank you for your tireless work to make soccer a premier sport in Iowa!!

Photo courtesy of Quad City Times