Eastern Illinois University athletic director Tom Michael announced on Apr. 23 contract extensions for men’s basketball head coach Marty Simmons and women’s soccer head coach Dirk Bennett.
The extensions, approved by the Eastern Illinois Board of Trustees, aim to provide stability within both programs’ coaching staffs. The move comes as both teams have shown recent improvements in their respective sports.
Simmons received a two-year extension that will keep him with the Panthers through the 2028-29 season. Under his leadership, the men’s basketball team advanced to the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament in Evansville, Indiana this past season. This marked their first win in the tournament since the 2019-20 season. Additionally, Simmons’ teams have produced All-Ohio Valley Conference selections for three consecutive years.
Bennett was awarded a three-year extension and will continue as head coach through the 2029 season. Last year, he led the women’s soccer team to a fourth-place finish in regular-season conference play and achieved their highest win total since 2007. Bennett’s program has also produced an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year for two straight 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,” said 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.”
