Name:  Mark Henninger
Office Phone:  252.985.5179
E-mail:  mjhenninger@ncwc.edu

Mark Henninger was named the second head coach in North Carolina Wesleyan football history in February of 2008.  Having previously served four years as defensive coordinator for the Battling Bishops, Henninger has already helped accumulate a 23-17 overall record and an 18-9 USA South mark since the program's inception.

This past season, Wesleyan became the first-ever undefeated conference champion with a 7-0 league record.  The program also earned its first NCAA Tournament berth and playoff win in 2007, becoming the first #8 seed in history to knock off a #1 seed when the Bishops upset Washington and Jefferson by a 35-34 score back in November.

In just four years of existence, the program has produced 42 All-Conference players, two Defensive Rookies of the Year, two Offensive Rookies of the Year, and two Offensive Players of the Year. As an assistant, Henninger helped take Wesleyan from unknown status to a spot in the Division National III Top-25, and he looks to continue the program's winning tradition as head coach.

"I am honored to be chosen to build on the success of the North Carolina Wesleyan football program," said Henninger. "I am excited to start a new chapter of Bishop football.”

A native of Indianapolis, IN, Henninger joined North Carolina Wesleyan in 2004 after a four-year assistant coaching stint at his alma mater, Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH. The winningest Division III football program in the nation, Wittenberg produced three NCAA Division III playoff appearances and a record of 41-7 during his tenure. 

Prior to his time at Wittenberg, Henninger spent one year as a graduate assistant at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA coaching the secondary.  Wartburg finished the season as conference champions, advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs with a record of 10-1. 

In 1998, Henninger was an assistant coach with the Hamburg Blue Devils of Hamburg, Germany.  The team finished with a 15-3-1 record and the European Championship.  He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Milikin University, a Division III school in Decatur IL.  

Henninger received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wittenberg in 1996 and was a four-year letterwinner at safety for the Tigers. In addition to his coaching duties, he will also serve as Wesleyan's Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. 

He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Rocky Mount with their two children: son Jack and daughter Mary.