Eastern Illinois athletic director Tom Michael has announced contract extensions for men's basketball head coach Marty Simmons and women's soccer head coach Dirk Bennett.
 
The multi-year extensions were approved by the Eastern Illinois Board of Trustees and provide stability on the coaching staffs in both of those programs.
 
Simmons was given a two-year contract extension and will now be on the bench for the Panthers through the 2028-29 season.  This past season EIU advanced to the second round OVC Men's Basketball Tournament in Evansville, Indiana.  It was the first win in the OVC Tournament for the program since the 2019-20 season.  Simmons' EIU programs have produced All-OVC selections in each of the past three years.
 
Bennett was given a three-year contract extension and will now guide the Panthers program from the sidelines through the 2029 season.   This past season Bennett coached the program to a fourth place OVC regular season finish with the Panthers posting their highest win total since the 2007 season.   Bennett's EIU program has produced an OVC Player of the Year in each of the past two seasons – Abby Reinl (2024 Midfielder of the Year) and Ella Kratochvil (2025 Goalkeeper of the Year).
 
"I am pleased that both Marty (Simmons) and Dirk (Bennett) have agreed to contract extensions at Eastern Illinois," said Michael.  "Both coaches have continued to build consistent, competitive programs in the OVC.  I think in this current era of intercollegiate athletics having stability in your coaching staff and within your program can only help to enhance the student-athlete experience.  I look forward to watching both our men's basketball and women's soccer program continue to build and compete for conference championships."