DUBUQUE, Iowa — Loras College men's soccer head coach, Sam Koenig, and women's soccer head coach, Matt Pucci, have announced the hiring of Dylan Milkent ('14) as an assistant coach for both programs ahead of the upcoming 2025 season. He will also serve as the programs' recruiting coordinator.

Milkent returns to his alma mater after spending six seasons as the first assistant men's soccer coach at Wheaton College (Ill.), where he helped guide the Thunder to a 49-28-12 record, a 2024 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship, and multiple NCAA regional and national rankings.

"I'm excited for our program to have Dylan return as an alum to lead the program," said Koenig. "He's a proven winner and an even better person who will help elevate our program in all aspects of college athletics. He'll be a key contributor in recruiting and program development; we're pumped to have him back in Purple and Gold."

While at Wheaton, Milkent mentored 18 All-CCIW selections and eight NCAA All-Region honorees, as well as players who went on to sign professional contracts in the USL Championship, MLS Next Pro, Portugal's Second Division, and more. The team also earned the 2021–22 United Soccer Coaches (USC) Team Academic Award during his tenure.

"I'm excited to be back at Loras and to work with Coach Koenig and Coach Pucci," said Milkent. "Loras is an incredibly special place with one of the most unique soccer environments in the country. I'm thrilled for the opportunity to compete in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) and on the national stage again."

In addition to Wheaton, Milkent's coaching experience includes stints with the Chicago Dutch Lions (USL League Two), North Central College, and Chicago Rush Soccer Club, where he held roles as Director of Goalkeeping and Assistant Director of Coaching. 

"Coach Milkent is a Duhawk through and through," said Pucci. "We are so excited for his return and can't wait for him to get started and help lead us to future successes!"

As a student-athlete at Loras, Milkent was a standout goalkeeper, helping lead the Duhawks to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Final Four runs in 2012 and 2013. He earned All-Conference honors twice and was named team MVP as a senior.

Milkent holds a master's degree in leadership with a concentration in sports leadership from North Central College. He also holds coaching licenses from the United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) and the United States Soccer Federation.

He begins his new role immediately as the Duhawks prepare for the upcoming fall season.