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UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Ed on August 12, 2025, 5:52 pm

Saw a lot of chatter on here a while back about the new UIC head coach and the prospects for that program…

Here two assistant coach hires seem like strong moves - including Lenti (former DePaul head coach).

Rooting for the home teams!

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by @Ed UIS on August 16, 2025, 8:50 pm, in reply to "UIC coaching announcement"

Let's call it what it is. UIC softball has been atrocious over the last 4 seasons. They are 50-156 in that time. My daughter played in the MVC and just finished. UIC softball was not well-regarded. Last year when my daughter's team came to UIC, UIC literally only had 12 players available on the field. It was pretty shocking to see a D1 team with so few players. (And for some reason UIC had focused and continued to recruit more players from California and Texas.) With "real" coaches and an any sort of AD commitment behind the program, it really shouldn't be that hard to recruit from the Chicago metro area and Midwest with the wealth of players and talent. I know of many potential recruits avoiding UIC the last few years. Hopefully that changes now. The weather is always iffy in Chicago during the season, but wow, the view from the field is exceptional. Hopefully these new coaches lead to better recruiting and a more competitive team. I still have doubts. And hopefully Valparaiso also starts to turn their program around...

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Mike on August 17, 2025, 12:33 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Yes, you are spot on regarding UIC AND Valpo!!!! Great schools with wonderful campuses; obviously very different "dynamics ".

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by @Ed on August 13, 2025, 10:20 am, in reply to "UIC coaching announcement"

In the context of other Illinois hires, this is a homerun. Lenti retired when Coach Dean left Auburn, but he has incredible softball knowledge once you get past the rough edges. The other assistant was a UIC player, knows the culture, and has decent experience.

Illinois State's last two hires are a Peoria Sluggers travel coach and a player with no experience who just graduated. They should be able to do better.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Lenti on August 14, 2025, 5:11 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

He is old news and out of touch with players. He will be useless on recruiting. Recruiting is ultimately where teams will have success or not...

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Mike on August 14, 2025, 8:38 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Are you kidding me!! One of the most successful Coaches in NCAA and Chicago softball history is not going to be an asset to a young Coach working to turn around a program??? Coach Lenti was my football coach in the mid 80's and was tremendous and gave my daughter time and advice even though he was not recruiting her several years ago. Would be curious to know what ax you have to grind by making your comment????

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by @mike on August 15, 2025, 7:51 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Exactly, the 80s, dude. Times have changed. You need to be able to recruit, which he can not. If you do not get talent you are useless.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Mike on August 16, 2025, 11:01 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Reading is a skill!! I said Coach Lenti was my football coach in the 80's as he was just starting out in his teaching and coaching career, time will tell DUDE

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Church League on August 15, 2025, 8:54 am, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Google shows him also as the church leagues "Recruiting Educator" I hear that was an epic failure...

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Google on August 13, 2025, 11:03 am, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Just Google Eugene Lenti for his credentials.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Quick turn around on August 13, 2025, 8:04 am, in reply to "UIC coaching announcement"

Lenti gets around.. according to Gamechanger he had a "national" team too in the SWS... Best of luck to UIC. They will not be getting waxed by so many teams now... Should be a quick turn around.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by @Quick on August 13, 2025, 12:19 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Coaching skills are good, but recruiting is better. Certain schools have a ceiling to the talent they can attract.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Parent on August 13, 2025, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

What happened to Lenti at Auburn?

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by @Parent on August 14, 2025, 7:28 am, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

The Head Coach retired, and the new HC brought in new Assistants.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Bill Conroy on August 14, 2025, 10:24 am, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

Coach Lenti had planned on stepping down at Auburn beforn Coach Dean resigned. Coach Lenti wife and family are in Chicago and as much as he enjoyed Auburn, difficult to make work when his wife lived and worked in Chicago.
Coach Dean had health issues and wasn't going to be able to recruit that Summer and with Coach Lenti stepping down, there would be no one out to recruit the entire Summer. Hes stepped away and Auburn was terrific to him, keeping him on payroll for his pension and health benefits.
Coach Lenti will be a huge asset at UIC.

Re: UIC coaching announcement

Posted by Dr McBuckets on August 18, 2025, 2:07 pm, in reply to "Re: UIC coaching announcement"

If you google it, I believe Lenti left DePaul under not-so-amicable circumstances.🤷🏻‍♂️
This hire will prove to be a mistake, IMO
Much like the head coach!

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