MONTREAT, NC (April 7, 2009) -- Jonathan Bennett, Athletic Director at Montreat College, has accepted the Head Men's Basketball Coach position at the college today.

Bennett, a graduate of Asheville Christian Academy and a 1996 graduate of Montreat College, earned his master's in Sports Management at Appalachian State before going on to serve as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Appalachian State, Wabash Valley Junior College, and Mars Hill College. In 2000, Bennett returned to Montreat College and served as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach until 2006, when he accepted the Athletic Director position.

Coach Bennett says, "I am truly excited about taking over the men's basketball job.  It is an opportunity for me to get back to my first love of coaching, and I am blessed to be at a place that allows me to continue to serve in my new love of athletic administration.  I am excited about the new direction for me personally and for what these changes will mean for our athletic department as a whole.  I believe that God has great things in store for Montreat College athletics."

During his time as a Montreat College student, Bennett was both a team captain and conference All-Academic team member during his junior and senior years. Bennett will continue to serve the college as Athletic Director, assisted by Amanda Hollifield, Associate Athletic Director / Senior Women's Administrator.

Montreat College is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution with its main campus for four-year traditional students in Montreat. The accelerated School of Professional and Adult Studies program has campuses in Asheville, Charlotte, and Black Mountain, with courses being taught in Cherokee, Murphy and other NC locations.