Kim Schuette Returns to Head EIU Softball Program

Kim Schuette, the winningest coach in Eastern Illinois softball history, will have a chance to add to that legacy as EIU Director of Athletics Tom Michael welcomed her back as the Panthers head softball coach on Friday.   Schuette will begin her second stint as the Panthers head coach on Monday.
 
“I’m pleased to welcome Coach Kim Schuette back to campus.  Her interest in this position, desire and passion to come back to EIU was very impressive to me during this search.  She is someone who wants be at Eastern Illinois and knows what it takes for Panther softball to be successful in the Ohio Valley Conference,” Michael said.  “I heard from several softball alumni about their experiences playing for Coach Schuette and those positive messages reinforced what kind of program we need to have here at EIU.”
 
Schuette was the Panthers head coach from 2006-13 winning 232 games including 122 OVC contests.  She was named the OVC Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2013 as the Panthers won conference regular season titles.  During her time at EIU the Panthers finished in the upper division of the OVC race in six out of eight seasons making the conference tournament all but one year.  She coached twenty All-OVC selections including OVC Pitchers of the Year Amber May (2011) and Hanna Mennenga (2013).
 
Following the 2013 season Schuette accepted the head coaching job at Purdue University winning 85 games in three years including five wins over Top 25 programs.  She had nine players earn All-Mideast Region honors with two players going on to play professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch League.
 
“I am honored and eager to be back at EIU, with Panther Softball and in the Charleston/Mattoon communities. I very much look forward to working with Tom Michael as I have really enjoyed getting to know him, his vision and his leadership style, and thank him for believing in me and welcoming me,” said Schuette.  “Eastern has had and always will have a special place in my heart and I am very excited to be surrounded by so many quality and supportive people who also bleed blue.
 
Schuette was the head coach at Quincy University in 2005 and an assistant coach at San Jose State from 2001 to 2004.  Schuette and her husband Jason have two children.