Hamilton, Ont. — McMaster Football has added a new voice to its coaching staff, as Nathaniel Benjamin joins the Marauders as Recruiting Coordinator.

Benjamin arrives in the role after several years with the program, first joining McMaster in 2022 during spring camp before later serving through the Black Graduate Internship Program. His path to the Marauders follows a five-year playing career at Mount Allison University and years of coaching experience with the Ajax-Pickering/Durham Dolphins.

A Pickering, Ont., native, Benjamin began playing football at the age of seven with the Ajax-Pickering Dolphins before continuing at St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School. After being recruited to Mount Allison as a half-back, Benjamin embraced a new position after spending much of his early career on defence.

That experience helped shape the way he sees the game today.

"I've always been a student of the game," said Benjamin. "Even when I was young, I enjoyed the X's and O's, game planning, and studying opponents."

While at Mount Allison, Benjamin began coaching during the summers, including time as a defensive coordinator with the Durham Dolphins. In 2019, he helped lead the program to a provincial championship.

After graduating in 2021, Benjamin reconnected with former Mount Allison coach Scott Brady, who invited him to McMaster to gain experience with the Marauders program. What began as a chance to observe spring camp quickly grew into a larger role with the team.

Benjamin later joined the staff part-time before earning an opportunity through the Black Graduate Internship Program, allowing him to take on a larger role within the program and continue developing as a coach.

Now stepping into the Recruiting Coordinator position, Benjamin believes his recent experience as a student-athlete gives him a strong connection with prospective Marauders.

"I think one of the things I bring is relatability," said Benjamin. "I'm not that far removed from the recruiting process myself. I've lived it. I understand what student-athletes are going through and what they're looking for when they're making these decisions."
Benjamin also hopes to bring fresh ideas to McMaster's recruiting strategy, particularly in how the program connects with today's student-athletes.

"Being a younger guy and being less removed from playing, I think I'm able to bring newer ideas," said Benjamin. "I'm still around athletes who are at the age where they're starting to be recruited, and I understand the social media world and what makes kids want to go to certain places."

For Benjamin, McMaster's sense of community has made the program feel like home.

"It honestly feels a lot like Mount Allison did," said Benjamin. "It's a family environment. It starts from the top down, and it's something you feel from the moment you get here."

That connection extends beyond campus and into the city of Hamilton.

"Hamilton is a football city," said Benjamin. "There's a rich history here, whether it's Mac, the Junior Ticats or the Ticats. When the football team is buzzing, you can feel the energy that the city wants to bring."

As he begins his new role, Benjamin is grateful for the opportunity to continue building with the Marauders.

"When people ask me what I do, it doesn't feel like work," said Benjamin. "It's where I want to be. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help make this program the best it can be."

With Benjamin moving into a full-time recruiting role, the Marauders add a coach with strong ties to the program, a modern perspective on recruiting and a passion for helping shape the future of McMaster Football.