LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University Division of Athletics released the hiring of Jennifer Simonetti as its women’s soccer head coach Monday.
“I am very happy that Jennifer has accepted my offer to lead our women's soccer program,” EOU Athletic Director Rob Cashell said. “Her passion for athletics, academics and developing outstanding young women was evident throughout our entire search process. I look forward to great things from both Jennifer and the EOU soccer program in years to come.”
“I am extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to work at EOU with the women's soccer program,” Simonetti said. “The school is very supportive of the athletic programs, the women are motivated and hard working, and the program is in a great position to be successful. Now I am just anxious to make the move so I can get started.
“The first few months at EOU will be used to build relationships within the university and the members of the community. I want to explore the surrounding areas and learn more about the local schools and recruiting pools as well as new fun things to do. The offseason will be used to get to know the players within the program as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the team and individuals. We will start to build upon the previous seasons, stemming from our strengths, improving our weakness, and begin the recruiting process for the long term future of the program.
Simonetti (sem-oh-net-e) joins the Mountaineers after spending 2011 as the cross country head coach at Chatham University. Chatham is a NCAA Div. 3 institution in Pittsburgh, Penn. While in Pittsburgh, she was a staff coach at the Foothills Soccer Club and the Pennsylvania-West Olympic Development Program.
“The campus and surrounding area are gorgeous and the facilities are exceptional,” Simonetti said. “The greatest realization I had while visiting campus is the family like atmosphere at EOU. The entire campus is supportive of the success of EOU on every front from athletics to academics to extracurricular activities. Both Rob and President Davies knew everyone they came into contact with on a first name basis so you aren't just a student/coach/teacher, you are a person.
“The women on the soccer team have kept a positive attitude and are very motivated to improve and succeed. I truly feel this will be a great personal and professional change and that it is the perfect time to join EOU's athletic staff to help bring more success to a very strong department.”
Before coaching at Chatham, Simonetti was the head coach at NCAA Div. 3 Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, in 2010. She was originally hired as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs in 2009. In addition to helping to coordinate the planning and execution of practices and games, she developed and oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for both squads and served as the primary recruiter for the women's team.
Prior to joining the Pioneer program, she spent three years as an assistant with the Waynesville High School boy’s soccer team. While with the Spartans, Simonetti was named the Miami Valley Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. She also served as the girl’s varsity track and field head coach at Waynesville from 2006-09. Before Waynesville, she was the assistant for the girl’s soccer team at Bellbrook High School.
In addition to her time at Waynesville and Bellbrook, Simonetti coached the Metro FC in Kettering, Ohio. She also worked as a camp clinician with various teams in the area around Dayton, Ohio. Simonetti, who earned her United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “D” license in 2010, was the Girls Director of Coaching for the River Valley Soccer Club and assisted with the ‘97 women’s team for West Virginia’s Olympic Development Program.
“I want to establish a culture within the women's soccer program founded on hard work, teamwork, and success on and off the field,” Simonetti said. “Stability within the program will be the foundation for future success, when the players know I will be there for them beyond this season and next they will gain the confidence to compete, whether we win, lose or draw. Our first goal will be to earn a spot in the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament on a consistent basis.
“The conference has a strong variety of competition, so there is no better place to start. This will help the players gain confidence to go further and earn that automatic bid into the NAIA tournament. I am also hoping the women will take more away than tactical and technical skills from being a part of our program, but some life lessons and experiences along the way.”
Simonetti, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science from the University Dayton in 2005, carries a solid playing resume. She was a four-year starter for Dayton from 2001-04. The defender/center midfielder helped the Flyers win four Atlantic 10 regular season titles and three Atlantic 10 tournament championships during her time on the field.
As a freshman, Simonetti earned All-Atlantic10 and All-Great Lakes Region honors as Dayton made the NCAA Sweet 16. She repeated All-Atlantic 10 honors as a sophomore and earned both awards again as a senior when she was also named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and SoccerBuzz both voted Simonetti an All-America selection in 2004.
Simonetti started as an outside defender for the Cincinnati LadyHawks of the United States Women’s Soccer League in 2003. In 2008, she also participated in the USASA Elite Player Program in San Bernardino, Calif.
Simonetti will return to the Eastern Oregon University campus the week of Feb. 13, and then make the permanent move to the area in March.
“I will be driving out Feb. 11-18, to spend some time on campus and with the women, look for a house to rent or buy, and start to figure out the other aspects of my job,” Simonetti said. “I won't fully be moved out to La Grande until mid-March, but an exact date is not yet known. Luckily I have been communicating with various players as well as a strong list of recruits, so the work is already starting.”