CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield announced the promotion of Jeff Freeman to the position of associate head coach on Friday. Freeman is in his fourth year on staff and helped Illinois reach at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament during his previous three years, highlighted by a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2013.

"I am happy that we have been able to match the title with the job that Jeff has done for our program since he arrived here in Champaign," Rayfield said. "He understands everything about running a program, not just coaching a group or a team of players and continues to help drive this program forward. His commitment to Illinois soccer is incredible. I am honored to have him beside me, and I am excited that the administration also recognizes how much he brings to this program and this university."

The Illini have turned in two of the top four single-season goal totals in school history under Freeman. The Orange and Blue netted 54 goals in 2013 and 53 goals in 2011, which rank third and fourth, respectively, on the all-time list. UI boasts an overall record of 44-25-9 since Freeman joined the staff in 2011 with three NCAA Tournament appearances, a Big Ten Tournament title in 2011 and a Big Ten Tournament runner-up finish in 2012.

"The University of Illinois is a great fit for me," Freeman said. "It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Illinois soccer family and the Illinois athletic department as a whole. I truly believe this is arguably the top university and athletic department in the country. We have a great culture, great administration and some of the top coaches in the country who I get to learn from on a daily basis. I am grateful to Mike Thomas, Maria Woods and head coach Janet Rayfield for providing me with this opportunity.

"I couldn't be happier with the current state of Illinois soccer, and the direction our program is headed in all areas. Our recruiting has been fantastic, we have an amazing tradition and alumni base, and alongside that, a culture in which our talented group of players has this relentless mentality to improve on a daily basis."

In 2013, Freeman helped guide the Illini to their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen in school history, as they finished 11-9-3 overall. He coached Big Ten Forward of the Year Jannelle Flaws to a school-record 23 goals, which was tied for the most in the NCAA. Vanessa DiBernardo, who became Illinois' highest drafted player in school history following the season, completed her decorated career No. 3 on the all-time list with 43 goals, with Freeman coaching her during three of four seasons.

In 2012, Freeman served as the interim head coach for the non-conference portion of the schedule while Rayfield was coaching with U.S. Soccer's U-20 National Team at the World Cup. Freeman helped coach the Illini to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the second round after knocking off neighbor-state rival Missouri. Freeman also helped guide the Illini to their fifth Big Ten Tournament title game. In addition, Freeman took the reigns of the Illini program for the first seven games of the season against one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. Illinois finished 10-9-4 on the year.

In 2011, Freeman was integral in the process of implementing the formation changes that led the Orange and Blue to a 17-5-2 overall record, the most wins in a single season in school history and a Big Ten Tournament title victory over No. 11 Penn State. Freeman worked with both the offensive and defensive units throughout the season, also serving as a key contributor to the Illini's recruiting efforts while performing additional administrative and travel-related duties.

Freeman brought a wealth of experience and tactical expertise to Champaign, Illinois, after serving as a member of the University of Miami (Fla.) women's soccer staff from 2004-10, including the final three years as the associate head coach. He played a prominent role in Miami earning conference and national recognition with top-25 rankings and back-to-back appearances in the 2007-08 NCAA Tournaments as he assisted in all aspects of recruiting and team administration. As the recruiting coordinator, Freeman was responsible for the Hurricanes' 2007 top-25 recruiting class, which included ACC Freshman of the Year Brittney Steinbruch, and fellow U-20 National Team member Brittney Macdonald.

Freeman joined the Hurricanes' staff after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Missouri State, for four years. The Bears' goalkeeping units earned Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Defensive Player of the Year and conference tournament MVP honors in addition to weekly MVC defensive accolades under Freeman's tutelage, while Missouri State won the MVC crown and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance with Freeman's guidance.

As a student-athlete at Missouri State, Freeman earned academic all-conference recognition as a goalkeeper with the Bears and was a member of the 1997 squad that made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance after earning a top-10 national ranking and the MVC regular season title.

Freeman, who earned a bachelor's and master's in education from Missouri State, is accredited as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) `A' Licensed Coach and holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. He also was a clinician at the 2014 NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia and will serve as a clinician again in 2015.