Photos: Dennis Bene retires as Salpointe High School football coach
Salpointe Catholic High School football coach Dennis Bene, who coached the Lancers to the 2013 state championship, will retire from coaching at the end of the 2019 football season. Bene's Lancers have gone 174-43 since he became the head coach at his alma mater in 2001. He played quarterback for Salpointe from 1981-84. – Greg Hansen
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene gathers his players for a post game talk after beating Vista Grande in the season finale at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene listens to Charlie Raetzman during the third quarter of the Lancers' game against Vista Grande in the season finale at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene holds senior Trent Strong during the Senior Night ceremonies before kick-off against Vista Grande at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene gathers his Lancers before they head back to the field for the second half against Vista Grande at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Head coach Dennis Bene runs his offensive unit through game films of their upcoming opponent as Lancers prepare to travel to Catalina Foothills, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene proves to running back Bijan Robinson he has big hands too, during the team's practice session, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene fills in a bit, taking a few snaps as a running back while working with his offensive unit at practice, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene and his staff watch the Lancers on a goal line stand late in the fourth quarter against Casa Grande at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 11, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene working with the team, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 22, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe Lancers head coach Dennis Bene watches as his team takes on the Glendale Cactus Cobras during a game at Salpointe Catholic High School Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Head coach Dennis Bene talks to the offensive unit during a pre-practice meant with his Salpointe Lancers, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Head coach Dennis Bene signals a play as the Lancers runs through their offensive scheme at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Head coach Dennis Bene gathers his Salpointe Lancers at mid-field for a post-practice talks, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene walks off the field after his last regular season game in charge of the Lancers' in their season finale against Vista Grande at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019.
Dennis Bene, Salpointe HS football coach
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene watches his team go against Casa Grande at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 11, 2019.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Head coach Dennis Bene gathers his Lancers for a pre-game talk just before their practice session at Salpointe High School, Tucson, Ariz., August 7, 2019.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Head coach Dennis Bene, left, talks routes with a receiver during Salpointe Catholic High School football practice at the school, 1545 E. Copper St., on Aug. 1, 2018, in Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene pleads his case to the head referee in the third quarter against Del Valle at Salpionte High School on September 7, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene gives his quarterback Jackson Bolin (14) the offensive play as the clock winds down on the Lancer's 27-0 win overTucson at Kino Sports Complex, Friday, September 8, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene walks off the field after the first half of the Salpointe Catholic vs. Cienega high school football game at Cienega High School, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, on Sept. 28, 2017, in Vail, Ariz.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene looks for answers in trying to solve the Saguaro defense in the second quarter of their 4A state championship game at Arizona Stadium, Saturday, December 2, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic running back Mario Padilla, right, hugs head coach Dennis Bene following the Lancers' victory against Sunrise Mountain in the 4A state semifinal playoff football game on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic head coach Dennis Bene yells at an official after an interception against Sunrise Mountain was ruled incomplete during the first half of their 4A state semifinal playoff football game on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene adjusts his offensive unit during a second quarter drive against Mountain View at Salpointe High Schoo on August 26, 2016, Tucson, Ariz.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene sends his quarterback Sean Barton (15) in with a play on a Lancer drive late in the third quarter against Marcos de Niza in their 4A state playoff game at Salpointe Catholic High School, Thursday, November 10, 2016, Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic High School senior Taylor Powell shakes hands with football coach Dennis Bene during the signing day celebration in 2015.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Cameron Denson hugs head football coach Dennis Bene at a ceremony for the Salpointe High School athletes signing letters of intent, Wednesday, February 5, 2014, Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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A shaft of sunlight beaming through rain falling east of the school falls on head coach Dennis Bene and the Lancers during practice at Salpointe High School, July 29, 2015, Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Head coach Dennis Bene teaches blocking technique during practice at Salpointe High School, July 29, 2015.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's head coach Dennis Bene watches the game unfold from his perch atop the announcer's box against Tucson in the third quarter of their game at Salpointe Catholic High School on Oct. 23, 2015, Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic High School football coach Dennis Bene shares a moment with daughter Mia Bene, 8, during practice on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at the high school, 1545 E. Copper St., in Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic High School football coach Dennis Bene goes over plays as he meets with his coaching staff in his office before practice on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at the high school, 1545 E. Copper St., in Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic High School football coach Dennis Bene watches his team practice on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at the high school, 1545 E. Copper St., in Tucson, Ariz. Bene leads his squad into Friday's state semifinal game against Glendale Deer Valley High School at Marana High School.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic High School football coach Dennis Bene meets with his coaching staff in his office before practice on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic High School football coach Dennis Bene leads the team as they break for practice on Nov. 21, 2013.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene hugs his family as the second tick down during the fourth quarter of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene pumps his fists in the air in front of the Lancer fans as the second tick down during the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene is treated to an ice water bath as the seconds tick down during the second half of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's Dennis Bene celebrates with his players after their 30-14 win one previously unbeaten Ironwood Ridge at Salpointe Catholic High School, Friday, October 26, 2012,Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic assistant coach Bob Logan gets head coach Dennis Bene with a pie after winning his 100th game against Ironwood Ridge on Friday, October 28, 2011, in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won 27-13.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic coach Dennis Bene greets his players after winning his 100th game as the team defeated Ironwood Ridge High School 27-13 on Friday, October 28, 2011, in Tucson.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head football coach Dennis Bene talks to his team as quarterback Trevor Eggleston listens closely during practice on August 10th, 2007.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe's Chris Ciarvella (54) and his teammates celebrate after dousing their head coach Dennis Bene with water in celebration of their win over Sunnyside 27-16 in 2006.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe Catholic head coach Dennis Bene exhorts his team before practice on August 16, 2004.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene speaks to the offensive line during a scrimmage at practice, August 12, 2003.
Sapolinte HS football coach Dennis Bene
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Salpointe head Football coach Dennis Bene talks with his players during his football teams practice held at Salpointe on November 26, 2002.
Dennis Bene
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Salpointe High School quarterback Dennis Bene (11) during a game against Amphitheater High School in Tucson, October, 1993.
Dennis Bene
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Salpointe High School quarterback Dennis Bene (11) gets off a pass just before getting tacked by Sunnyside High School defenders in September, 1983.
Dennis Bene
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Salpointe High School quarterback Dennis Bene (11) during a game against Amphitheater High School in Tucson, October, 1993.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
Lancers brass took a chance on young coach who developed into one of the best in Tucson, state history.
