Simmons, Bennett Signal Contract Extensions

Eastern Illinois athletic director Tom Michael has introduced contract extensions for males’s basketball head coach Marty Simmons and ladies’s soccer head coach Dirk Bennett.

The multi-year extensions have been authorised by the Eastern Illinois Board of Trustees and supply stability on the teaching staffs in each of these applications.

Simmons was given a two-year contract extension and can now be on the bench for the Panthers via the 2028-29 season.  This previous season EIU superior to the second spherical OVC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Evansville, Indiana.  It was the primary win within the OVC Tournament for this system because the 2019-20 season.  Simmons’ EIU applications have produced All-OVC picks in every of the previous three years.

Bennett was given a three-year contract extension and can now information the Panthers program from the sidelines via the 2029 season.   This previous season Bennett coached this system to a fourth place OVC common season end with the Panthers posting their highest win whole because the 2007 season.   Bennett’s EIU program has produced an OVC Player of the Year in every of the previous 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,” mentioned 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.”