Benedictine University Director of Athletics, Mark McHorney, has announced the hiring of Attila Schmidt as the new head men’s soccer coach.
“We are extremely pleased to have Attila Schmidt join our men’s soccer program,” stated McHorney. “Attila comes from a program of established excellence and we believe he will do a great job of continuing to build our men’s soccer program.”
Schmidt comes to Benedictine after serving for two seasons as the assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator at Amherst College. During his time at Amherst, not only did Schmidt help guide the team to a New England Small College Athletic Conference Championship, but he helped Amherst finish with an 18-1-2 overall record that led to a 2015 NCAA DIII Men’s Soccer National Championship. In that same season, the team earned a No. 1 national ranking in goals against average (0.23) and finished the season with a No. 1 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national ranking.
“This is a dream come true,” stated Schmidt. “I couldn’t be more excited to begin my head coaching career at Benedictine University. I’d like to thank Director of Athletics, Mark McHorney, and the entire search committee for allowing me the opportunity to lead the men’s soccer program. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and hope to build upon the recent success of the program.”
Before joining Amherst, Schmidt was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Lake Forest College, for four seasons. While at Lake Forest, Schmidt helped guide the Foresters to an NCAA DIII Men’s Soccer Championship appearance along with two Midwest Conference (MWC) Championships.
Schmidt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Lake Forest in 2008. A four-year letterwinner, he was a three-time All-Conference player.
Schmidt takes over a Benedictine program that was 9-10 overall and 6-4 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) last season. The Eagles have made the conference tournament the past three seasons, including a regular season title in 2013. Benedictine men’s soccer begins the 2016 season on Thursday, September 1 when they host Lake Forest at 7:00 p.m. at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.
Schmidt will begin his head coaching duties starting August 1.
FOOTBALL
The Benedictine University football program is pleased to announce the hiring of a new assistant coach, Kevin Koch. Koch will be the in-state recruiting coordinator and also coach the tight ends.
Koch, who is an Elmhurst native, arrives to Benedictine after two seasons as the safeties coach at NCAA Division II Minnesota State University Moorehead. In 2015, Koch helped guide the school to its first winning record (6-5) in nine seasons. Koch was also the lead recruiter in the Chicago metro area, successfully recruiting over 70 schools.
“We are excited to have Kevin join the Benedictine football program,” said Benedictine head coach Josiah Sears. “Kevin has great experience recruiting in Chicago and will be a great asset to our staff because of his familiarity with the high school programs in this area. He is also a strong leader with passion for teaching leadership skills and the game of football to young men. Kevin will be coaching a talented group of young men at the tight end position and working with various special teams.”
Before his time at MSUM, Koch coached at Robert Morris University (Illinois) where he earned his Master’s Degree in Sports Management. Under his tutelage, the team owned an 8-3 overall record in the program’s second season where he served as a graduate assistant. Koch coached the running backs, which included two All-Americans, offensive line and tight ends.
Koch received a Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science) from Minnesota State Moorehead in 2012. In his two seasons as the starting quarterback, he was named team captain, earned All-Conference honors and was placed on the Dean’s List. Koch also played for two seasons at College of DuPage.