Paul Benedict enters his fourth season at Ohio Dominican University as the head men's and women's cross country coach, and on Nov. 3, 2010, was announced as the head coach of the new men's and women's track and field programs at ODU. Cross country was added as the Panthers' 13th and 14th varsity sports in 2006, while the track and field teams will begin competition in 2011-12.

Benedict took over a very young group of runners at Ohio Dominican in 2008 and has propelled the cross country program to new heights. He led the Panthers to their best season in school history, as ODU set new team records at the Wilmington College Invitational. Benedict saw the men's and women's individual school records broken and a number of personal best times were set throughout the season.

The cross country teams continued their successful turnaround with another outstanding season in 2009. Benedict led the women's team to their first meet championship, had their first National Qualifier and was named the Midlands/Independent Conference Coach of the Year.

No stranger to the local talent in the Columbus area, Benedict graduated from Westerville South High School in 2001 and has stayed active in the local running community as an OHSAA and NCAA Cross Country and Track official for 10 years before accepting his current post at ODU.

Benedict received his Bachelor of Arts in Business in 2005 while earning four varsity letters in cross country and track at Muskingum College. He has completed the Ironman and qualified to run in the Boston Marathon in April, 2011.