Pre-Competitive Staff
Charley Benson
Charley Benson joined the DACA staff in 2006 with extensive experience in both age group and senior level swimming. As head age group coach at California Capital Aquatics in Roseville, CA, Charley worked with head coach Mike Hastings in the development of 1992 Olympic Champion Summer Sanders and World Champion Randall Bal. Under Charley's guidance, CCA produced Junior and Senior National qualifiers, national top-16 swimmers, and national age group record holders.
While at CCA, Charley was named Sierra Nevada Age Group Coach of the year and received the USA Swimming Coaches Awards. He has been a keynote speaker at the NAPA Coaches Clinic and has conducted clinics for summer recreational coaches in Roseville. In addition to his position at CCA, Charley was head coach at Jesuit High School in Sacramento. In his four years at the helm, Jesuit won 3 consecutive CIF Section Team Championships, went undefeated in the 400 free relay, and produced CIF record holders.
Each year, the team placed in the top 10 for the United States Mythical High School National Championship. Since joining the DACA Staff in 2006, Charley has worked as Assistant National Team Coach and taken leadership of the DACA Pre-Completive Program. At DACA, Charley has worked with Junior and Senior National qualifiers, and many who have moved on to swim in college at the NCAA Division 1 Level. Prior to his coaching career, Charley was a stand out in the pool. A high school record holder and All- American, Charley attended the University of Utah and Sacramento State University on a swimming scholarship, where he was a NCAA finalist in the 50 freestyle and NCAA All-American. Charley resides in San Jose with his wife Carol and enjoys keeping fit, surfing, and exploring.