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Eastern Illinois women's soccer will have a new head coach next season but one that is familiar with the program as EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael announced the hiring of Dirk Bennett as the Panthers head coach on Friday (Feb. 10).
 
Bennett, who is an EIU alumnus, becomes the seventh head coach in program history.  He has worked with the women's program for the past six seasons, first serving as a volunteer assistant coach from 2016-18 then as an assistant coach since 2019.
 
With a focus on goalkeepers and defense, Bennet helped EIU post its third best goals against average in program history this past season with a 0.81 GAA.  The Panthers opened the season with four straight shutouts which set a program record.
 
"It is such an honor to receive this opportunity to lead our women's soccer program here at Eastern Illinois, and I couldn't be more thrilled to begin. I would like to thank President Glassman, Tom Michael, Mark Bonnstetter, and all of the members of the search committee who allowed me to participate in this competitive interview process. I would also like to thank my family, friends, and members of the local soccer community who have supported and shown their belief in me these many years in Charleston," said Bennett.   "I have had the privilege to learn from some incredible mentors in my coaching journey thus far, and I will do my best to live and exemplify the values learned from them each and every day in my new role as head coach. This is a challenge that will not be taken lightly, and I look forward to giving these incredible student-athletes the opportunity to play the game they love while discovering just how special they can be. Go Panthers!"
 
Bennett is an EIU alumnus earning his bachelor's degree from EIU in 2010 and master's degree in 2012.  He holds several coaching licenses and diplomas including a USSF "C" License and NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I.  He served as the Executive Director of Eastern Illinois FC and in 2014 was a Inspire UK "Top 10 Coaches Under 30" London Conference Invitee.
 
A Charleston native, Bennett served as the Athletic Supervisor for the City of Charleston as he began his coaching association with Eastern Illinois, first as a volunteer assistant with the Panther men's program and later with the women's program.
 
Helping to work directly with goalkeepers, Bennett has helped both Mike Novotny and Sara Teteak win Goalkeeper of the Year honors for their respective teams.  Novotny won the honor for the men's program in the Summit League in 2018 while Teteak won the award for the women's program in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2019.
 
As a member of the women's coaching staff he helped the Panthers make three appearances in the OVC Tournament including advancing to the OVC semifinals in 2018.   He has coached 11 All-OVC selections with the women's program and helped coach 11 All-Summit League performers with the men's program. 
 
"I'm excited to introduce Dirk Bennett as Eastern Illinois next women's soccer coach," said Michael.  "Dirk has been around the EIU soccer program for a number of years and his passion for Eastern Illinois and the special place that this is showed during the interview process.  He is engaged in providing the best possible student-athlete experience for the young ladies in the program and knows what it takes to be successful in the Ohio Valley Conference.  I look forward to watching Dirk take the reigns and put his own personal touch on a program his has been associated with for the past number of years.