Mishawaka High School Hires Three New Coaches

New Coaching Additions Bring Fresh Energy to Mishawaka High School

Will Coatie and Benji Dolly are both excited about the new opportunities they have ahead in their high school coaching careers. As two of the three newest members of the Mishawaka High School (MHS) coaching staff, they bring a wealth of experience and passion for developing student-athletes.

The Mishawaka School Board approved Coatie as the new boys basketball coach and Dolly as the new wrestling coach during a recent meeting. In addition, Mike Bultinck was hired as the new girls soccer coach at MHS. These additions mark an important step forward for the athletic programs at the school.

A Welcome Addition to the Cavemen Family

Evan Fras, who recently took over as the new MHS Athletic Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the new coaches. He highlighted the value that each brings to the program:

• Will Coatie is praised for his experience, energy, and dedication to student athletes.
• Benji Dolly is celebrated for his deep roots in the community and passion for wrestling.
• Mike Bultinck is recognized for his vision and commitment to growing the girls' soccer program.

Fras emphasized that these coaches understand the history of the programs and are ready to lead them into the future.

Will Coatie’s Journey to Mishawaka

Coatie comes to MHS after spending the past two seasons as the boys’ basketball coach at Elkhart High School. He replaces Bodie Bender, who moved to Elkhart in May. Coatie shared his excitement about the opportunity to continue mentoring young men and being part of a strong athletic culture.

Despite a challenging record at Elkhart—8-38 over two seasons—Coatie remains focused on the process of building a successful program. He believes in the potential of the young talent at Mishawaka and is eager to help them grow.

Coatie has had a long career in coaching, including 11 years as a head coach at Elkhart Central and Elkhart High School. His teams consistently performed well, with a sectional title in 2018. He also worked as an assistant coach for Oregon-Davis High School and helped the Elkhart Express win championships in the International Basketball League.

Benji Dolly Returns to His Roots

Benji Dolly’s return to Mishawaka is a significant moment for the wrestling program. A 2006 graduate of MHS, Dolly grew up immersed in the tradition of Cavemen wrestling. His father, Tom, was an assistant coach, and his brothers were standout wrestlers. Dolly himself had a successful high school career, earning three sectional titles and three regional crowns.

Dolly spent 10 years in California working in production and editing before returning to Indiana in 2020. He has since been coaching at Penn High School. Now back at MHS, he feels a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” said Dolly. “I want our guys to know how important this is to our community. I want all of them to be proud to be a Mishawaka wrestler.”

He plans to build on the foundation laid by former coach Steve Sandefur, whom he respects and acknowledges for his contributions to the program.

Looking Ahead for MHS Athletics

With the addition of Coatie, Dolly, and Bultinck, MHS is poised for a fresh start in its athletic programs. Each coach brings unique strengths and a deep connection to the community. Their combined efforts are expected to elevate the performance and culture of the Cavemen teams.

As the new season approaches, fans and students alike are eager to see what the future holds for Mishawaka High School athletics. With dedicated leaders at the helm, the potential for growth and success is promising.