The Barometer Online

Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Contributed Photo

Steve Simmons, a former associate head coach at Oregon State who has served the last six seasons at the helm of the Northern Illinois men's soccer program, has been named OSU head men's soccer coach, Director of Athletics Bob DeCarolis announced on Friday.
"It is great to have a coach of Steve's caliber leading our program. His roots to the Pacific Northwest run deep and his love for OSU is sincere and true," De Carolis said. "He did an amazing job of building a successful program at NIU and with his familiarity of the Beavers and Corvallis he should be able to hit the ground running."
In six seasons at NIU, Simmons compiled a 59-47-13 record as he led the Huskies to a NCAA Men's Soccer Championship appearance following the 2006 season. After the conclusion of this past year, Simmons capped a five-year run in which the Huskies won 56 matches, a school-record for the most wins over a five-year span. During that five-year stretch, NIU won a Mid-American Conference Championship, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship and had players honored 24 times with All-MAC accolades.
"I want to thank Bob DeCarolis for providing me the opportunity to return home to Oregon State to guide the men's soccer program. It was going to take a special opportunity at a special place for me to leave Northern Illinois University and only OSU could fit the bill," Simmons said. "My family and I look forward to getting to know the players, reconnecting with the Corvallis community and making our Beaver Soccer alums proud."
Under his guidance, the Huskies reached at least 10 wins in four of six seasons, including an 11-6-4 mark during the 2008 campaign in which NIU finished second in the MAC and advanced to the finals of the MAC Championship. In 2007, Simmons led NIU to a 7-9-4 mark as the Huskies advanced to the semifinals of the MAC Championship in addition to beating No. 9 Northwestern, 2-1, in double overtime.
Simmons' most outstanding professional recognition came after guiding his team to the 2006 Mid-American Conference Championship, when he was honored with the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The honor made him Northern Illinois' first finalist for the NSCAA Coach of the Year Award. In addition, Simmons has twice been named the MAC Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year (2004, 2006).
Simmons earned the 2006 awards after his team achieved the best season in Huskies men's soccer history. NIU's first MAC Men's Soccer Champion, the team finished the season with a school-record 15 wins, including a perfect 9-0-0 mark at home, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.

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