Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Position: Head Coach (hired May 1, 2014)
Alma Mater: Eastern Illinois, 2009
Years at EIU: 6th year (entering the 2014 season)
 

Mark Hansen joined the Eastern Illinois men’s soccer staff in the fall of 2009 after playing for the Panthers from 2005-08. Hansen was named the head men's soccer coach on May 1, 2014. 

In 2010, Hansen saw goalkeeper Sean Molony earn Missouri Valley Conference honors as he was selected to the honorable mention team after finishing the year with the third most shutouts (4) and saves (84) in the conference. As a team, the Panthers posted the fourth best goals against average in the MVC and had the third most saves.

As a player, Hansen guided the Panthers to 34 wins during his career and back-to-back double-figure win seasons (2006 and 2007) for the first time since 1988-89. He finished his career with a 1.17 goals against average, the best career average in school history.

Hansen serves as the director of coaching for the Eastern Illinois F.C. and assists in coordinating all camps and clinics for the men's soccer program.  He recently stepped down as the goalkeeper coach for the Olympic Development Program for Central Illinois. 

Hansen earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sports studies in 2009 before earning his master’s degree in sports administration 2010.

Hansen resides in Charleston.  His wife Rachel is an assistant athletic director of marketing at Tulane.