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.   

Dirk Bennett Hire Release

Eastern Illinois 

* Hired as seventh head coach in program history on Feb. 10, 2023

* Begins second season as head coach for 2024 season

* EIU record (4-9-4 / 3-4-2 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 one second team performer and two OVC All-Newcomer members in 2023

* 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