Ben Betts joined the University of Lynchburg men's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2026-27 season.
Betts brings an extensive coaching background that includes three seasons as the head coach at South Carolina State and assistant coaching stops at Winthrop, Western Carolina, Georgia Southern, Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, Tennessee State, Oklahoma, VCU, the College of Charleston and South Carolina State.
Before arriving in the Hill City Betts was a four-year member of the Winthrop men’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant. In his final two seasons with the Eagles, Winthrop recorded back-to-back 23 win seasons, which included consecutive Big South Championship appearances.Â
At Georgia Southern, Betts helped the Eagles record three consecutive 20-win seasons and finish among the top three in the Sun Belt in each of his final three years. He mentored seven all-conference selections, including 2019 Sun Belt Player of the Year and All-America Honorable Mention Tookie Brown. Betts also helped guide the Eagles to their first postseason appearance since 2006.
From 2006-11, Betts served as an assistant coach at Oklahoma under Jeff Capel. The Sooners reached the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2009. Betts also helped recruit and coach 2009 No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Blake Griffin.
The Madison Heights, Va., native, Betts served as South Carolina State’s head coach from 2003-06, leading the Bulldogs to the 2004 MEAC regular-season championship. Including a stint as interim head coach, he compiled a 52-41 career record with victories over Penn State and Miami (Fla.).
Betts also helped the College of Charleston reach the NCAA Tournament in 1998 and 1999, including a perfect 16-0 Southern Conference record in 1999.
A four-year letterwinner at Roanoke College, Betts earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1990 and his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from South Carolina State in 1997.
