ST. LOUIS – Chris Allen, who has been a member of the Saint Louis University women's soccer coaching staff since 2016 including the past four seasons as associate head coach, has accepted the position of head women's soccer coach at Marquette University.
 
Allen, who also served as the Billikens' recruiting coordinator, succeeds Frank Pelaez.
 
In his eight years with the program, Allen helped guide SLU to a 131-30-11 record, five Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championships, six A-10 tournament titles and six NCAA Championship appearances. The Billikens reached the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA tournament for the first time in 2023.
 
"Today is a bittersweet day," Allen said. "I have always dreamt of being a Division I head coach, but I'm leaving behind a program and people who hold a very special place in my heart. I simply cannot express the amount of appreciation and gratitude I have for the SLU community.
 
"I am extremely proud of what we accomplished on the field, but more importantly, of the culture we built, the graduates we helped produce, and the raised profile of women's soccer in St. Louis to which we contributed.
 
"Eight years ago, I was teaching freshman biology and coaching varsity girls' soccer at Webster Groves High School," Allen said. "(Head coach) Katie Shields, (Director of Athletics) Chris May and (Deputy Director of Athletics) Dr. Janet Oberle took a chance on me. Their belief in me, and their support and guidance over the past eight years, has changed my life and the lives of my family. I am forever indebted to them and could not have asked for better mentors.
 
"To all the players I was fortunate enough to coach, I feel very blessed to have been a small part of their collegiate journey. They are some of my favorite people in the world.
 
"Finally, Katie Shields," Allen said. "I believe that she is, without question, the best women's soccer coach in the country. But more than that, she is a friend, a confidant, and a daily inspiration for me. If I can be just half the head coach she is, we will be very successful at Marquette.
 
"I am sad to leave SLU, but that means my experience was well worth it. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along my journey. I had the time of my life being a Billiken. ROLL BILLS!"
 
"I am thrilled for Chris and the incredible opportunity he has earned," Shields said. "He has left an indelible legacy on our program. For the past eight years, Chris has been instrumental in every piece of our success and building SLU women's soccer into a powerhouse. He is one of a kind, and Marquette women's soccer will thrive under his leadership."