Purdue University Calumet has hired Kellie Evans as its new Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Director of Athletics Rick Costello announced Friday.
“I am very excited that Kellie Evans is going to lead our women’s soccer program,” Costello said of Evans. “She brings outstanding Division I coaching and playing experience to the Peregrines, but what stood out in the interview process was her enthusiasm and energy, as well as her appreciation for the student-athletic experience.”
Evans comes to Purdue Calumet with five seasons of NCAA Division I coaching experience, including her most recent position as interim head coach at Mid-American Conference member Bowling Green State University in 2012.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Rick Costello and members of the search committee for the opportunity to lead Purdue Calumet Women's Soccer,” Evans said. “Throughout the process it was evident the athletics department at Purdue Calumet is filled with passionate people who believe in providing a great experience for its student-athletes. I am proud to join the Peregrine family and look forward to helping our student-athletes achieve success on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
While at Bowling Green, Evans handled all coaching and instruction including practices and off-season practices, developed the team’s recruiting plan, oversaw the annual budget, managed the academic progress of student-athletes and coordinated and directed the BGSU women’s soccer youth camps, clinics and tournaments.
Before serving as interim head coach for the Falcons, Evans served as BGSU’s assistant for one season after two years as an assistant at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. There, Evans was part of a coaching staff tabbed as the Missouri Valley Conference Staff of the Year after she helped lead the Redbirds to a 12-7-1 record and both the league regular-season and tournament championships in 2009.
ISU was impressive in the classroom as well, as the 2010 squad – which finished 9-7-2 on the pitch – scored a department record 3.69 grade point average and boasted an astounding 11 players with a perfect 4.0.
Prior to Illinois State, Evans spent one season as an assistant coach for Oregon State University of the PAC-12. While in Corvallis, she helped prepare practice sessions, served as the Assistant Director for all OSU soccer camps and academies, and handled all aspects of team travel, among other duties.
A native of Brandon, Fla., Evans was a standout player at Division I Auburn University, where she set the school record for assists in a season with 13 during the 2000 campaign. In her junior season, Evans helped lead the Tigers to the program’s only Southeastern Conference regular-season title in 2002. Auburn won the SEC tournament championship in 2011.
Prior to accepting the position at Purdue Calumet, Evans – who has her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Auburn – served as a regional director for Challenge Teamwear, a soccer clothing and equipment company in Tampa, Fla., as well as the commissioner for the youth-soccer based Sunshine State Soccer Association.
Purdue Calumet women’s soccer enters its fourth season as a program starting in the fall of 2015.