Bio

The winningest coach in the history of Eureka College men's soccer, Dwain Barker will begin his eighth season as head coach of the Red Devils in 2021.

Barker has directed steady improvement for the Eureka men's soccer program since his arrival in 2014. The Red Devils shattered the program record for wins in a season with eight victories in 2015. EC continued its momentum with a seven-win campaigns in 2016 and 2018. In 2019, the Red Devils swept Emmaus in dramatic fashion, winning in a shootout at home on Aug. 31 and pulling off a 4-3 comeback on the road on Sept. 10.

In 2018, the Red Devils opened the season by notching consecutive non-conference match wins against NCAA Division III opponents for the first time in program history, edging Lakeland 2-1 on Sept. 1 and topping Finlandia 3-0 on Sept. 6. Later in the season, EC recorded its second-longest scoreless defensive stand in program history, keeping opponents off the board for 202:53 from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13.

A 1-0 victory over Rockford at Traister Field on Sept. 13, 2016 was the 11th of Barker's career at EC, moving him in front of Randy Crady (2007-10) and J.L. Zapushek (2010-12) for the most wins by a head coach in program history.

Additionally, the Red Devils earned a 3-2 win over longtime SLIAC powerhouse Principia on Oct. 22, EC's first win in 11 tries against the Panthers. Eureka also earned a 0-0 double-overtime draw versus Greenville at Traister Field on Oct. 25, ending a 12-match losing streak in the all-time series between the two schools.

Prior to his coaching career, Barker had an outstanding collegiate career as a student-athlete. He is the current record holder for most goals scored and assists in a career at NJCAA Illinois Central in nearby East Peoria and ranked third in the nation in scoring during the 2005 season. He was chosen as the Region XXIV most valuable player in 2005 and was voted All-Region First Team and All-America First Team in both 2005 and 2006.

Following his junior college career, Barker transferred to NCAA Division I Western Illinois. He scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Leathernecks in 2007. Barker graduated from WIU in 2009.

Barker began his coaching career shortly after his playing days came to a close. After graduating, he served as an assistant coach at Western Illinois for one season (2008-09) and later served as the head assistant coach at Illinois Central. Barker has also assisted with numerous camps in central Illinois and served as Director of Coaching for the Morton Blaze Soccer Club in Morton, Ill. since 2011.

Originally from St. John, Barbados, Barker currently resides in Morton with his wife, Lisa, and his son, Dwain Jr.