Loyola Chicago selects Jon Sandoval to lead women’s soccer program

CHICAGO – Loyola University Chicago announced the hiring of Jon Sandoval as the new head coach of the Ramblers’ women’s soccer program.

Sandoval brings an impressive track record of success and leadership to Loyola, having spent the last five years elevating the Northern Michigan University (NMU) women’s soccer team to national prominence.

“Jon Sandoval is a proven winner and an exceptional leader. His ability to build competitive teams, develop student-athletes both on and off the field and foster a culture of excellence aligns perfectly with the values of our university and our Ramblers athletics department. We are thrilled to welcome him to Loyola,” said Athletic Director Steve Watson.

“I am deeply humbled, honored and excited to be named head coach of Loyola University Chicago’s women’s soccer program. My family and I cannot wait to join the Ramblers. I would like to thank Steve Watson, Holly Strauss-O’Brien, and the rest of the support staff for giving me this opportunity. I am very excited to begin a new era of Loyola women’s soccer,” said Sandoval. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Northern Michigan University—its administration, staff, and especially the players—for their unwavering support and for making my time there so meaningful. I am forever grateful for the journey that has led me to Loyola. I look forward to helping Loyola compete for conference championships and NCAA tournament berths. Go Ramblers! ”

Sandoval arrives to Rogers Park following a standout career at NMU where he transformed the Wildcats into a perennial powerhouse. In 2024, the program won back-to-back Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) regular season and tournament titles and made its third consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. Sandoval was named GLIAC Coach of the Year for the second straight season while three Wildcats collected Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year postseason accolades.

In 2023, Sandoval guided NMU to its first-ever GLIAC regular season and tournament championship titles. His accomplishments earned him GLIAC Coach of the Year for the first time, and under Sandoval’s leadership the Wildcats finished the season ranked eighth in the United Soccer Coaches Division II Women’s Soccer Poll, garnering the program national recognition.

Over his tenure at NMU, Sandoval posted a 62-20-15 career record and an overall .716 winning percentage after five seasons – the best of any head coach to lead the program. Prior to his arrival, NMU had not had a winning season since 2011. Sandoval has coached five Players of the Year, five All-Americans, two Freshmen of the Year and 22 all-conference awardees and eight All-Region players.

Prior to his head coaching position at NMU, Sandoval was the assistant coach for the Wildcats men’s soccer team from 2018-2020. Before that, he served as an assistant coach at St. Ambrose University, helping the team reach the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinals. Sandoval held the head coach position at Davenport West High School in Iowa, where he guided the program to its first-ever tournament championship.

Sandoval had his first coaching position at his alma mater, Western Illinois University, as an assistant coach and director of operations for three seasons. As a student-athlete, Sandoval helped the Fighting Leathernecks to an appearance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament and was awarded captain status for his senior campaign.

A native of East Moline, Ill., Sandoval earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2012 before attaining two master’s degrees from Western Illinois University (MA) and St. Ambrose University (MBA).