Search

Marion Military Institute

Marion, AL 36756
Alabama Southeast
Public Very Small Developing team
I'm interested in this program!

Coaches

Email coach

Jeff Benson

JJeff Benson began his tenure as the Head Softball Coach at Marion Military Institute before the 2016-17 season.


Prior to Marion, Coach Benson served as the assistant softball coach at Wallace State Community College-Hanceville for three years before being named Interim Head Coach in the spring of 2016. He directed the Lady Lions to the 2016 Region XXII championship and was named the Region XXII Coach of the Year.


Prior to his work at Wallace State CC, Coach Benson coached softball at Oak Grove High School where both of his daughters, Kory and Erin, excelled. His son, Ryne, will be attending Marion Military Institute this fall on a baseball scholarship.

show more
Email coach

Kori Benson

Kori began her coaching career at MMI before the 2016-17 season and currently serves as the assistant coach for the Lady Tigers.


Kori was a three-time ASWA All-State selection in softball for Oak Grove High School. In 2012 she was crowned the 2012 ASWA 4A Hitter of the Year and named to the ASWA Super 12 All-State team. Kori also competed in the Alabama North/South All-Star Game and was selected as a First Team Max Prep High School All-American.


Kori played two years at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama before signing to play at Shorter University. While at Wallace she was a two-time NFCA All-American and the 2013 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Tournament MVP. Kori still holds both the single season and all time record for home runs at Wallace with 23 and 38, respectively.

show more
Email coach

Matt Downs

Matt Downs became the Head Baseball Coach at Marion Military Institute in November 2013.


Coach Downs graduated from Bibb County High School, where he played in two state championship games, winning the 4A state title in 2001. He spent one year at Shelton State as a pitcher/infielder before being drafted in the 25th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2003 MLB June Amateur Draft. He chose not to sign with the Pirates and accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Alabama. Downs played his last three years at UA where he helped Alabama win the Southeastern Conference Championship in 2006. He earned a Player of the Week Award that May after his strong hitting performance against the University of Tennessee helped Alabama clinch the championship. Downs hit .290 (81-for-279) with seven home runs and 67 RBI in his 80-game career at UA, with the majority of his playing time coming as a senior in 2006.


Coach Downs was drafted out of Alabama by the San Francisco Giants in 2006 in the 36th round. Downs reached the major leagues in 2009, starting at second base temporarily for the Giants during that season. He played a few games with them in 2010 before he was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros that August. Downs spent the entire 2011 season in the major leagues, batting .276 and leading the major leagues with 15 pinch-hit runs batted in (RBI). Following the 2012 season, the Astros made him a free agent and he signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins in 2013.


Downs has worked as a pitching coach, field and hitting instructor at all levels.

show more

College Bound Athletes

Showcase Tips

Are you ready for your next college showcase?
The site worked great for the tournaments I used it for. I had many coaches respond to my contacting them. The site helped me develop confidence in getting through the recruiting process.
- Katia SandovalWhat are others saying?