Bio

RECRUITING AREAS: Southern New Jersey, Texas

Ben McKaig was hired as Director of Football Operations/Assistant Offensive Line Coach at Bryant University in June of 2019. McKaig took over the role of running backs coach in March 2020 and became the wide receivers coach in 2022. He also serves as Bryant's pro liaison. McKaig will begin his first season as Offensive Coordinator in the Fall of 2024.

 In 2023, he helped the Bulldogs have the best passing offense (267.9 ypg) in the Big South-OVC and the 16th-ranked in the country. Matthew Prochaska and Anthony Frederick were both named to the Second Team this season. Prochaska had a career-high 801 yards, 44 rec, and four TDs. He had three games of 100+ yards. Frederick became the second WR in DI program history to record 2,000 yards and 20 TDs in his career. WRs had 15 of the 26 passing TDs this season.

McKaig's first season with the wide receivers was a historic one as Landon Ruggieri and Anthony Frederick combined for 1,640 receiving yards, the most by a duo in Bryant program history. Ruggieri would earn First Team All-Big South and All-New England honors, finishing with a single-season program record 65 catches for 986 yards and six touchdowns. Frederick finished with career highs in receptions and yards, while also earning All-America honors as a return specialist.

Bryant's backfield enjoyed a great deal of success under McKaig's watchful eyes in the fall of 2021. The Bulldogs averaged nearly 160 yards per game on the ground and helped the Black and Gold lead the NEC with 30.0 ppg. The running back group featured a two-headed monster in senior Dan Adeboboye and freshman Fabrice Mukendi. Mukendi set Bryant freshman records for rushing yards (652) and rushing TDs (9), while Adeboboye wrapped up a historic career with 509 rushing yards and six TDs. Adeboboye would go on to become the first Bulldog ever drafted in the CFL Draft, taken in the second round, 15th overall, by the Toronto Argonauts. Mukendi also picked up All-NEC honors from Phil Steele. 

McKaig's first season with the running backs was a success in the spring of 2021. Bryant averaged 179 yards per game on the ground, with four players averaging 4.0+ yards per carry. Daniel Adeboboye enjoyed his best season in 2021, earning All-NEC First Team honors after rushing for 111.3 yards and two touchdowns. He ranked seventh nationally in rushing, becoming the first Bulldog since 2015 to average 100+ yards per game. 

He comes to Bryant after a brief stint as an Offensive Assistant at Fordham University during spring football. Prior to Fordham, McKaig served as the Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Division II member Northwestern Oklahoma State University for four seasons.

In his time as offensive line coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State, McKaig's offensive line saw major improvement. They had a big year in 2017 specifically, as they were vital in the Ranger offense's rushing attack which ranked 17th nationally in yards per game. He also served as recruiting coordinator, camp coordinator, and academic coordinator for the program.
 
Prior to Northwestern, McKaig spent the previous two years at Utica College in Utica, N.Y. where he was a graduate assistant as well as the Defensive Line Coach. McKaig helped the Pioneers reach heights the school had not reached previously as they were 7-4 in 2014 as well as making their first-ever postseason appearance. He also served as the Academic Coordinator for the program.

Before going to Utica, McKaig was a Math teacher and Assistant Football Coach at Andover High School in Andover, Kan. from 2012-13. He was both the offensive line and defensive line coach while at Andover. The Trojans went 8-3 in 2012 and made it to the second round of the State Playoffs.

McKaig graduated from Emporia State, where he was a four-year starter for the Hornets offensive line at tackle and guard. He earned All-MIAA honors as well in 2010.

He received his Bachelor's in Education from Emporia State in 2012 and received his Master's in Education from Utica College in 2015.

McKaig is engaged to Ms. Danielle Freshnock and the couple has a dog named Bo.