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** During the month of July, EIUPanthers.com will take a look back at 13 events, moments and players that helped shape the 2020-21 academic year. **

Eastern Illinois athletics made several new hires for head coaching positions for the 2020-21 academic year including one hired just before the start of their respective season.
 
Marty Simmons was hired as the men's basketball coach while Paul Jarzynka was hired to lead the men's tennis program.   
 
Simmons was hired in late March as the 15th head coach in EIU men's basketball program history.   Simmons a former Mr. Basketball in the State of Illinois playing many games as a prep player in Lantz Arena during the IHSA Super Sectional and Charleston Holiday Tournament.  He previously was a head coach at SIUE (during program's NCAA Division II days) and Evansville.  Simmons has signed seven players for the 2021-22 roster. 
 
Jarzynka was hired in early January of 2021 as the 20th head coach in the EIU men's tennis program history.  Jarzynka was hired just weeks prior to the Panthers playing their 2021 spring schedule.  In his first season he won four matches as the program head coach and just missed the OVC Tournament. 
 
Also hired during the 2020-21 academic year were Mike Murray as the interim director of athletic development and Derek Stein as director of football performance. 
 

 2020-21 Year In Review
No. 13 – Panther Athletic Teams Return To Action