Former player shifts gears from women's program to men's side
Jan. 19, 2005
Jan. 19, 2005
CHICAGO (January 18, 2005) * After ten seasons as the head coach of the women's program at his alma mater, Brendan Eitz has been selected as the second head coach in the history of the men's soccer program at Loyola University Chicago, it was announced today by Director of Athletics John Planek. Eitz succeeds Ray O'Connell, who retired following the 2004 season after 25 years at the helm of the men's program.
"The goal for all of our programs is to attain a berth in the NCAA Tournament and Brendan has achieved that on the women's side," Planek said. "We hope he can have the same success with our men's program."
In 2004, Eitz guided the Rambler women to a 9-7-4 record, the first winning season in the history of the program, and Loyola was dominant at home, posting a 6-2-1 ledger at Loyola Soccer Park. Three Ramblers earned postseason Horizon League accolades, including Julie Kenkel, who was tabbed Horizon League Newcomer of the Year.
The 2003 campaign was Eitz's best in terms of victories as he steered Loyola to a school-record 10 wins and its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The Ramblers earned that bid by capturing the Horizon League Tournament on their home field, capping the Cinderella run with a 1-0 victory over Detroit in the title match.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to coach the team I used to play for and I am extremely eager to continue to develop a program that I and my fellow alumni are already proud of," said Eitz. "As a former athlete and a coach at Loyola University Chicago I understand the University's mission and look forward to coaching this group of gentlemen. With such a strong group of talented players returning, I look forward to fielding an extremely competitive team."
In ten seasons as the head coach of the women's program, Eitz coached 20 all-conference players, including four first-team selections. Among other accolades, Eitz's 1998 squad won the Midwestern Collegiate Conference title, while his 1999 charges landed the program's first-ever postseason victory. He was hailed by his peers as the MCC Coach of the Year in 1998.
Eitz's success hasn't been limited to just the field. The 2003 women's team posted the highest grade point average (3.28) of any women's team at Loyola during the 2003-04 academic year. Earlier this week, eight Ramblers were selected to the 2004 Horizon League Fall Academic Honor Roll for having cumulative GPA's of 3.25 or higher.
A former member of the soccer team and a 1995 graduate of Loyola, Eitz also competed on the track and field team as a student-athlete.
