Upper Iowa University Athletics

Ben Curran returns to the Upper Iowa football program for his eighth season at Upper Iowa and fifth in a row heading into the 2021 season. He was promoted to associate head coach in August 2018. He is the offensive coordinator and coaches the quarterbacks including 2018's All-NSIC South Division First Team Quarterback Brent Lammers.

Curran returned to UIU after a season at Wayne State College where he helped lead the Wildcats to a 6-5 overall record and a fourth-place finish in the NSIC South Division; 2017 marked the first winning season for the Wildcats since 2012. 

Prior to his short stint in Wayne, Curran coached at UIU for three seasons, two as the quarterbacks’ coach and play-caller, and one as the wide receivers’ coach. Before he arrived in Fayette as a coach, Curran spent two years as a graduate assistant for St. Cloud State University. With the Huskies, Curran coached the wide receivers as the team finished the 2013 season with a 12-2 overall record. St. Cloud State advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA football playoffs knocking off #4 Henderson State, 40-28, in first round action and #1 Minnesota State University, 54-48, in the second round. The Huskies faced eventual national champion in #2 Northwest Missouri State in the quarterfinals, losing to the Bearcats, 59-21. Four of Curran’s wide receivers were named to the All-NSIC team including one All-American following the 2012 season.

Curran was UIU’s starting quarterback for three seasons (2008-10); he earned an All-NSIC Honorable Mention nod as a junior and was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team as a junior and senior. He ranks third in the UIU history books for career totals in passing yards (4,625 yds), total offense (5,046 yds), completions (422) and attempts (753), as well as the seventh in passing touchdowns (27) over his three seasons at the helm of the Upper Iowa offense. He also used his legs to pick up 421 yards and 7 scores on the ground. Curran played and started in 28 of UIU’s 33 games over his time in Peacock blue.

Both Ben and his brother, Nate, transferred to Upper Iowa from the University of Northern Iowa and began their tenure at UIU as redshirt sophomores. Curran prepped at Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Curran earned his Bachelor’s degree in sports communication at Upper Iowa and added a coaching authorization in 2010. He earned a Master’s degree in sports administration and leadership from St. Cloud State in May 2014.