Sammy Jo Prudhomme Joins Illini Soccer as Assistant Coach
February 17, 2022 | Soccer
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini soccer head coach Janet Rayfield announced the addition of Sammy Jo Prudhomme to the Illini staff as an assistant coach. Prudhomme will primarily work with the Fighting Illini goalkeepers in her role.
"Sammy Jo brings an incredible amount of experience at the highest levels of the game. She's been a National Champion and knows what that takes. We are excited to add her passion, intensity, competitiveness, knowledge and experience to this program" head coach Janet Rayfield said. "She will have an impact not only on our goalkeepers but on our team and program as a whole."
Prudhomme comes to Illinois after serving two successful seasons as an assistant/goalkeeper coach at Loyola University Maryland after joining the staff in July 2020.
"I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to coach here at the University of Illinois. Janet, Jeff, the staff and athletic administration are driven, competitive and committed to the continued growth and success of the program within the Big Ten and nationally. I'm ready to get going and help in every way I can with the development and building of this team to be the absolute best we can be on and off the field" said Prudhomme. "I'd also like to thank Loyola University Maryland for everything they have done for me and helping me with my development as a young coach. I wish the staff, team and administration nothing but the best moving forward. Go Fighting Illini!"
While at Loyola University Maryland, Prudhomme coached 2021 Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Paige Sim in just her second season on staff. While an assistant at Loyola, Prudhomme served as head coach of the 2010 Pre-ECNL team for Pipeline SC in Baltimore, Md. She also served as the goalkeeper coach for the ECNL keepers at Pipeline SC since August 2020, and also coach goalkeepers at Beach FC in Long Beach, Calif. from Feb. to April 2020.
Prudhomme began her NCAA career at Oregon State from 2012-13 before transferring to the University of Southern California in 2014. A two-year starter in goal for the Trojans, Prudhomme was the starting goalkeeper on the 2016 NCAA National Championship team for USC. In her final collegiate season, Prudhomme garnered Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year honors, First Team All-Pac 12 honors, and was named to the 2016 College Cup All-Tournament team. In addition, Prudhomme was named to the Second Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region team and was also a Third Team NSCAA Scholar All-American in 2016.
Following a successful collegiate career, Prudhomme was drafted with the 31st overall pick in the NWSL Draft to the Boston Breakers in 2017. With the Breakers, Prudhomme started and played five games in goal, setting an NWSL and Breakers record for consecutive shutout games and minutes. Her time in the NWSL also saw stops with the Houston Dash, Washington Spirit, and Reign FC.
A native of Redondo Beach, Calif., Prudhomme attended Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo, Calif. and played club soccer with the SoCal Blues. She has one brother, Nicholas, and is the daughter of Jobeth and Jon Prudhomme.
