SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Chad Jones has been named the head men’s soccer coach at UIS it was announced today by Prairie Star Director of Athletics Rodger Jehlicka.

 

“We are pleased to have Chad joining the UIS athletic family,” Jehlicka said. “Chad’s passion and enthusiasm for the game of soccer will be a welcome addition while his knowledge of the local soccer community will provide immediate benefits for our program.”

 

Jones spent the fall of 2009 at Millikin, his alma mater, as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program.

 

Jones has extensive coaching experience at the club, high school and collegiate level.  In addition to his work at Millikin, Jones works as a boy’s Olympic Staff Coach for the State of Illinois.

 

Along with his duties at Millikin, Jones’ college coaching resume includes stints as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois and Illinois Wesleyan. 

 

Jones was the Executive Director of the Springfield Soccer Association from 2007-2008 and the Director of Soccer for the Midstate Soccer Club and Academy in Decatur from 2001-2007.

 

Jones was also the varsity soccer coach for both the boy’s and girl’s teams at Decatur’s MacArthur High School from 1995 to 2000.  His boy’s team went to the Illinois High School Athletic Association Class A Final Four in 1999 and he was named the Decatur Herald and Review Soccer Coach of the Year after both the 1998 and 1999 campaigns.

 

Jones is a 1994 graduate of Millikin where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He and his wife, Stacey, have two children, Jillian and Morgan.