Incarnate Word tabs Jake Plant from Eastern Illinois to lead women’s soccer program

SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word President Dr. Thomas M. Evans and Athletic Director Richard Duran announced the hiring of Jake Plant as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach. Plant has spent the last five seasons as the head coach at Eastern Illinois University.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jake Plant and his family to UIW,” said Duran. We were looking for a coach to take our program to the top of the Southland Conference and I believe Coach Plant is that person. He is a great fit for UIW as he will maximize resources in support of the student-athletes and ensure the culture of the program aligns with the Mission and core values of the University. I’m excited to work with him as we build champions in the classroom, in the community and in competition.”

This past season at EIU, Plant led the team to the lowest goals against average in school history (0.81 GAA) after opening the season with a record four straight shutouts. EIU also finished the season with a record-setting eight ties to rank in the top five in NCAA. During his time with the Panthers, Plant coached the team to the highest Ohio Valley Conference finish in program history (third), the first OVC Tournament appearance since 2014, and the first semifinal appearance since 2010.

Plant guided two first team All-OVC selections, the 2019 OVC Defensive Player of the Year, ten All-OVC honorees, and two All-OVC Tournament selections. In the classroom, his 2018 team achieved the top GPA (3.52) in the entire athletic department.

“I am extremely excited to get to work at such a prestigious academic and athletic institution. It is a massive privilege that me and my family are so thankful for, and we can’t wait to arrive in San Antonio and get to work,” said Plant. “I’d like to thank Dr. Evans, John Bury, Richard Duran, Angela Lawson, and the rest of the UIW family for being so welcoming from the very first minute. The prospect of achieving great things on and off the soccer pitch is a very real thing for this program and I am very much looking forward to meeting the team and laying out the plan to get us all there. Go Cardinals!”

Prior to being named head coach at EIU, Plant was an assistant coach with the men’s soccer program (2014 and 2015) and then worked with both programs from 2016-17, primarily coaching the women’s team in 2017.

Before starting his coaching career with EIU, Plant was a student-athlete on the men’s soccer team from 2012-13. He started 34 matches with six goals and four career assists. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2014 and his master’s degree in 2016, both from EIU.