Sammy Jo Prudhomme joined the Illini coaching staff in February 2021 as an assistant coach. Pruhomme primarily works with the Fighting Illini goalkeepers.

Prudhomme comes to Illinois after serving two successful seasons as an assistant/goalkeeper coach at Loyola University Maryland after joining the staff in July 2020.

While at Loyola University Maryland, Prudhomme coached 2021 Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Paige Sim in just her second season on staff. While an assistant at Loyola, Prudhomme served as head coach of the 2010 Pre-ECNL team for Pipeline SC in Baltimore, Md. She also served as the goalkeeper coach for the ECNL keepers at Pipeline SC since August 2020, and also coach goalkeepers at Beach FC in Long Beach, Calif. from Feb. to April 2020.

Prudhomme began her NCAA career at Oregon State from 2012-13 before transferring to the University of Southern California in 2014. A two-year starter in goal for the Trojans, Prudhomme was the starting goalkeeper on the 2016 NCAA National Championship team for USC. In her final collegiate season, Prudhomme garnered Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year honors, First Team All-Pac 12 honors, and was named to the 2016 College Cup All-Tournament team. In addition, Prudhomme was named to the Second Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region team and was also a Third Team NSCAA Scholar All-American in 2016.

Following a successful collegiate career, Prudhomme was drafted with the 31st overall pick in the NWSL Draft to the Boston Breakers in 2017. With the Breakers, Prudhomme started and played five games in goal, setting an NWSL and Breakers record for consecutive shutout games and minutes. Her time in the NWSL also saw stops with the Houston Dash, Washington Spirit, and Reign FC.

A native of Redondo Beach, Calif., Prudhomme attended Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo, Calif. and played club soccer with the SoCal Blues. She has one brother, Nicholas, and is the daughter of Jobeth and Jon Prudhomme.