Loyola University Chicago head coach Barry Bimbi signs extension

CHICAGO (February 28, 2019) – Barry Bimbi has signed a contract extension that will keep him as head women’s soccer coach at Loyola University Chicago through the 2022 season, Loyola Director of Athletics Steve Watson announced today. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are excited to announce a contract extension for Barry,” Watson said. “He’s a perfect fit for Loyola and operates his program at the highest of levels, with student-athletes who excel not only on the field, but also in the classroom and in the community. Barry has proven himself to be a tremendous leader and motivator of young women during his time here. It’s great to reward him for his hard work and dedication.”

Bimbi recently completed his eighth year as the bench boss in Rogers Park, leading the Ramblers to an 11-win campaign en route to seeing him and his staff named the Missouri Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Loyola swept The Valley’s regular season and tournament titles as it returned to the NCAA Tournament, where it dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Florida State, which went on to win the national championship. In 2017, Bimbi oversaw one of the country’s most prolific offenses. The Ramblers racked up a school-record 61 goals, finishing behind only eventual national champion Stanford in the category.

“I feel very humbled and blessed to continue to lead the Loyola women’s soccer program,” Bimbi commented. “I am grateful to Steve Watson and Loyola for having the confidence in me to continue to develop great ambassadors of Loyola and to build on our recent successes. I’m very lucky to work with these amazing young women, and work side by side with a staff that is second to none.”

The program has ascended to new heights in the last two seasons under Bimbi, with the team posting a 24-14-1 (.628) record. Loyola has recorded three winning seasons in the past four years after finishing above the .500 mark just four times prior to Bimbi’s arrival. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native has aided in the development of 37 All-MVC selections during his tenure, highlighted by reigning MVC Player of the Year Jenna Szczesny, who was selected by the Chicago Red Stars in January’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft.

Bimbi’s teams have also excelled in the classroom, earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award in each of his eight seasons at the helm. In 2018, Madison Laudeman became the first Rambler to receive United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American accolades since 2008, while Madison Kimball was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Google Cloud Academic All-District Team.

Loyola will welcome back 19 letterwinners in 2019, highlighted by four All-Missouri Valley Conference selections from a year ago.