AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn soccer assistant coach Ben Madsen has been elevated to associate head coach, head coach Karen Hoppa announced Tuesday.
"I'm so excited to announce Ben's promotion to associate head coach," Hoppa said. "He has been an invaluable part of our program's success over the past nine years and has done a tremendous job with our defense. He also plays a massive role on the recruiting trail for us and has done a great job of bringing high-level prospects to the Plains. I'm looking forward to many more successful seasons at Auburn with Ben."
Madsen, who is in the middle of his ninth season on the Plains, serves as the Tigers' defensive and goalkeeper coach.
"I am extremely thankful for the support shown to me by Coach Hoppa and the administration at Auburn," Madsen said. "We have a great staff and group of student-athletes that I'm grateful to work with daily. I'm proud of what we have accomplished during my time here, and I'm extremely blessed to call Auburn home."
During his tenure, the Tigers have turned in five of the top 10 goals against averages as well as five of the top 10 shutout totals in program history.
Since Madsen's arrival in 2012, he has mentored 14 All-SEC honorees and eight all-region performers along the back line, including All-American Kala Faulkner.
The Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, native played an instrumental role in Auburn's record-setting 2015 and 2016 seasons, which saw the Tigers make the first NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite 8 appearances in program history. The team turned in goals against averages of 1.00 and 1.08, respectively, and pitched 16 shutouts during the two seasons.
Madsen most recently helped lead the Tigers and freshman goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska to the third-best goals against average in the SEC during the fall season.
Prior to his arrival at Auburn, Madsen served as an assistant coach at Iowa State for four seasons from 2008-11. He also spent assistant coaching stints at South Alabama (2004-08), Alabama-Hunstville (2003-04) and with the men's team at Lincoln College (2002-03).