Dirk Bennett was hired as the seventh head coach in Eastern Illinois women's soccer history on Feb. 10, 2023. Bennett, a two-time EIU graduate, previously served as the Panthers assistant women's soccer coach since July of 2019. He enters his third season as the Panthers head coach for 2025.
Dirk Bennett Hire Release
* Hired as seventh head coach in program history on Feb. 10, 2023
* Begins third season as head coach for 2025 season
* EIU record (9-17-10 / 6-7-5 OVC)
* Led team to OVC Tournament appearance as head coach in 2023, finished fifth in OVC standings
* First career win was 3-1 decision over Illinois Springfield on August 20, 2023
* Coached OVC Defender of the Year Abby Reinl in 2024
* Coached All-Region selection Abby Reinl in 2024
* Has coached one first-team All-OVC selection (Abby Reinl, 2024)
* Has coached two second team All-OVC selections
* Has coached two OVC All-Newcomer selections
* Hired as assistant women's soccer coach in July of 2019
* Coached sixth season on EIU women's soccer staff in 2022-23
* Served as a volunteer assistant coach for EIU women's soccer from 2016-18
* Helped coach team to a 0.81 Goals Against Average in 2022, third best single season mark in school history
* Helped coach team to a school record four shutouts to open the season in 2022
* Helped coach team to a school record eight ties in 2022 which ranked in the top five in the NCAA
* Helped coach EIU women's program to third place finish in OVC in 2018 & OVC Tournament semifinal appearance
* Helped coach women's program to second straight OVC Tournament appearance in 2019
* Helped coach three All-Ohio Valley Conference selections (first team Sara Teteak)
* Helped coach OVC Defensive Player of the Year Sara Teteak in 2019
* Helped coach eight second team All-OVC selections
* Helped coach EIU to OVC Tournament appearances in 2018, 2019 and 2021
* Volunteer assistant coach for men's soccer program from 2015-18
* Helped coach men's team to three straight Summit League Tournament appearances
* Helped coach men's team to 2-2-1 Summit League record in 2017, first .500 or better conference mark since 2000
* Helped coach men's team to Regional ranking during 2017 season
* Helped coach Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year, Mke Novotny in 2018
* Helped coach two first team All-Summit League performers (Mike Novotny & Edgar Mesa)
* Helped coach two second team All-Summit League performers
* Helped coach seven All-Summit League Newcomer Team selections
* Helped coach four Summit League All-Tournament selections
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Athletic Supervisor for City of Charleston
* Executive Director of Eastern Illinois FC
Personal
* Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2010
* Masters Degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2012
* USSF "C" License
* NSCAA Premier Diploma
* NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I
* NSCAA LGBT Diversity & Inclusion Diploma
* Board Member Central Illinois Youth Soccer League
* Inspire! UK "Top 10 Coaches Under 30" London Conference Invitee in 2014
* NCCAA Bob Seddon Fund Scholarship
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| School |
Year |
Overall |
Conference |
Other |
| Eastern Illinois |
2023 |
4-9-4 |
3-4-2 |
|
| Eastern Illinois |
2024 |
5-8-6 |
3-3-3 |
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| EIU Record |
2 Years |
9-17-10 |
6-7-5 |
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