Tom Anagnost announced the first new addition to his staff with the appointment of Dustin Downey as an assistant coach.

Downey comes to Chicago after a successful seven-year tenure on the Western Kentucky staff.  There, he mentored one conference Player of the Year, 29 All-Conference players, and six All-Region honorees.  Fifteen of Downey's charges earned All-Academic honors at the conference level, and five earned Academic All-American status.

"It's hard to express in words alone how appreciative I am for the opportunity to work for the University of Illinois - Chicago Women's Soccer program," Downey said.  "I want to first thank Head Coach Tom Anagnost, and the UIC Athletic Administration for bringing me in to help lead this team to new heights.  The relationship I've built with Tom throughout this process is one of trust and loyalty.  I'm ready to work alongside him to bring future success to this program, while also continuing to grow and develop my coaching craft under his tutelage."

"Dustin made a great impression on everyone here and was an easy and obvious choice to help lead this program," Anganost said.  "He is a great person of high character.  He is a hard working grinder and I believe he will help us in every way."

Strong finishes, featuring season-long improvement, were Downey and WKU's calling card the last two seasons.  Last season, the team earned a result in five of their last six matches.  They did not lose a home match all year.  The squad boasted C-USA's top assist generator.  In 2017, the Lady Toppers won four of their last five matches.

Downey and the WKU staff led the team to a 7-3-0 record in conference play in 2016 and finished third in C-USA, five spots above their rank in the preseason poll.  The 2016 squad placed five players on the All-C-USA teams.

"I'd be remiss if I didn't thank my former boss, Jason Neidell, and all of my former players at Western Kentucky University.  Without the love and support from everyone on WKU's campus the past 7 years, I would not be where I am today," Downey continued.  "Lastly, I just want to send a special thank you to all of my family and friends who have reached out to wish me well."

With Downey on the sidelines, the Lady Toppers won the regular season and advanced to the Sun Belt championship in 2013.  They placed a program record seven players on the all-conference team in their last season in the league.  The year prior, Downey's first at WKU, he made an immediate impact on the group by helping guide Ali Stahlke to the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award.

Downey also spent the last four years on the U.S. National Training Center staff.  He will help lead a Flames squad that will return its top six point scorers from 2018, including Horizon League All-Freshman and All-League second team selection Emily Kavanaugh.

"UIC Women's Soccer has a bright future.  I truly believe with the student-athletes and staff we have in place, this team is cultivating a new culture of success, and I want to be a part of its history.  I'm proud to wear 'UIC' across my chest, and I can't wait to spread my enthusiasm around this university and across the country," Downey concluded.
 
Downey played three seasons at WKU before finishing his collegiate career at current Horizon League rival Northern Kentucky.  Downey helped lead the Norse, then in Division II, to the national semifinals.  He returned to Western Kentucky to complete his studies and earned his degree in broadcast communications and TV production.

Graphic: UIC Athletic Communications; Downey Photos: WKU Athletics