DECATUR, Ill. --- The Millikin Athletic Department is pleased to announce Brian Levin as the new Big Blue head softball coach. He will take over for co-head coaches Katie Tenboer and Whitney Sowers who each departed the program to take on roles in athletics administration.

"My wife, Michelle, and I are very excited about the opportunity for me to take on the role as head softball coach at Millikin," Levin said. "My hope is to build upon the success the previous staff and team produced."

Levin brings 13 years of head coaching experience and a 418-220 career record, along with two years of assistant coaching experience most recently at Iowa. He joined the Hawkeyes after a stint as the head coach of Southern Mississippi. In his three years with the Golden Eagles, Levin compiled a 65-62 record with a 29-23 mark in 2022.

"We could not be more honored to welcome Brian and Michelle to the Big Blue family," Associate Athletic Director, Katie Tenboer said. "With the principles Brian believes in that align so well with what the program has reflected the last decade, there will be a seamless transition. His knowledge and experience will be an asset not only to the softball program, but to our entire athletic department and campus in a number of ways."

Levin took over at Southern Miss after spending three seasons as the head coach at Belmont University. In those three seasons, the team advanced to two OVC Tournaments and posted a 91-70 record. The 91 wins are the most the history of the program over a three-year span.

Prior to Belmont, Levin had a six-year run at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. During that time, he led the Tritons to a 249-83 record, including a 150-25 mark his final three seasons.
Levin led UMSL to four consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament berths, including consecutive Super Regional appearances in 2014 and 2015, and three straight Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championships.

At UMSL, Levin coached eight All-America honorees, 21 All-Region selections and 37 All-GLVC selections. He was named GLVC Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2015.

While at UMSL, he coached Big Blue volunteer assistant coach Martin Stupek's daughter. Under Levin's coaching, Alex Stupek garnered three All-Region honors and an All-American accolade.

Levin also spent three seasons as field manager of the Akron Racers of the NPF, where he coached nine All-NPF selections and he was part of the 2014 NPF Coaching Staff of the Year.
Levin began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Murray State University.

"I am extremely grateful to the department leadership for allowing me this opportunity," Levin said. "Everyone was very welcoming, and I am looking forward to being a part of the Millikin family.

The Granite City, Illinois, native founded STAAR hitting mechanics and camps and the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Clarksville Heat Softball Organization in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Levin spent 20 years in the military, including 15 stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 5th Special Forces Group. Among his responsibilities, Levin organized and trained combat forces. While stationed at Fort Campbell, he was an active volunteer coach for football, baseball and softball at Fort Campbell High School.

Levin played collegiate football and baseball at Peru State College where he was a two-time all-conference player. Levin earned All-America placekicker honors in college.

He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from Peru State College in 1988 and a master's degree from Northcentral University in sports management and leadership in 2009. Levin earned his doctorate in education specializing in coaching and sport management from National University in 2024.

Levin has two children who are former NCAA athletes, Alisha and Matthew. Alisha played softball for Providence College, while Matthew played football at the University of Dubuque.