SIUE

Head Coach Ed Huneke, a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, knows how hard work pays off. And he expected as much from his players.

Huneke completed 22 seasons at the helm of SIUE’s soccer squad. SIUE played in three consecutive Great Lakes Region title games and has advanced to the national semifinals in three out of the last six seasons. The Cougars played for the national title in 2004. Under Huneke, SIUE also posted a streak of 38 consecutive regular season Great Lakes Valley Conference games without a loss, from 2002 to 2006.

Huneke, only the second men’s soccer coach in SIUE’s storied history, held a career record of 251-155-34. 

In 2006, John Matthews was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Matthews also earned All-American honors. Mike Banner joined the long list of professional players, signing with the Chicago Sting.

Huneke was named the GLVC and the NCAA-II Midwest Regional Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2005. His 1997 team also helped Huneke garner the same honors after winning the GLVC title. 

The Cougar mentor began his collegiate coaching career as the founder and head coach at Lewis and Clark Community College, a post he held for 11 years before returning to his alma mater. At LCCC, Huneke led the Bucks to six trips to the national tournament, including four Final Four berths and a second-place finish at the 1982 National Junior College Championships. 

A three-time Midwest Coach of the Year at LCCC, his teams claimed seven Midwest Regional titles, seven Illinois state championships, bronze medals at the national championships in 1983 and 1984, and a fourth-place finish at the 1985 tourney. 

Huneke earned a bachelor’s degree from SIUE in 1971 and a master’s of business administration from Saint Louis University in 1975. A past president of the SIUE Alumni Association, Huneke and his wife, Linda, have three children, Justin, Sean and Angela.