DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team has announced the promotion of Ben Casanova to associate head coach. Casanova enters his first season with the new title after a five-year stint serving as an assistant to head coach Dan Evans on the men's basketball coaching staff. 

"I look forward to continuing to serve our program and the athletic department," Casanova said. "I am extremely grateful to Coach Evans and Mary Rob for this promotion. Our mission in UNG Men's Basketball remains the same – to build and sustain a championship level program and culture." 

Since Casanova joined the Nighthawk men's basketball program for the 2021-22 season, he has helped the team reach new heights and rewrite the record books. Casanova has guided North Georgia to 103 wins, marking the winningest five-year stretch in program history.  

During his tenure as an assistant coach, Casanova has also helped lead the Nighthawks to an abundance of postseason success. North Georgia has reached the NCAA Tournament three times and the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Tournament Championship twice with Casanova on the coaching staff. 

Casanova was also an integral part of the coaching staff during the 2023-24 season that saw the men's basketball team put together one of its best seasons in program history. The Nighthawks finished the year with a program-record 28 wins, along with the program's first ever PBC Tournament Championship and NCAA Southeast Regional Tournament Title. 

"Benny's contributions to the program have been incredibly impactful to our overall success," Evans said. "More than that, his commitment to the development and well-being of the players has pushed us forward over his time in Dahlonega. Everyone in the program, past and present, respects him and will celebrate him being named Associate Head Coach. We look forward to him continuing to contribute to winning basketball and a winning environment."