Feb. 12, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — Ben Halder, Marietta College's defensive coordinator, has been appointed interim head football coach, replacing Curt Wiese, who resigned Feb. 8 to be the offensive coordinator at Division II Minnesota-Duluth.

Interim Athletics Director Brian Brewer made the announcement Tuesday (Feb. 12) afternoon.

Halder, who has been an assistant coach with the Pioneers for the last five seasons, will guide Marietta's program until a full-time head coach is hired. He recently finished his second season as the defensive coordinator after serving as the offensive line coach for the first three years.

A national search is underway. Review of résumés begins Feb. 26 and will continue until the position is filled. [Link to job posting]

Halder, a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, played defensive end for the Mavericks and graduated with a degree in elementary education. After graduation, he moved to Yucca Valley, Calif., and was an offensive/defensive line coach for a season. Halder spent the next two seasons as the head football coach at Yucca Valley High School.

Halder, who also served as an assistant track coach for three seasons, is currently in charge of the athletic department's educational programming and helps with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He earned his Master's of Education at Marietta in the spring of 2005.

Marietta is slated to open its 2008 season on Sept. 6 at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. Its home opener will be Sept. 27 against Baldwin-Wallace.