News

Welcome New Coaches

Marmion Academy is pleased to announce the hiring of several new coaches:

Megan Wille – Women’s Varsity Volleyball Coach

Megan Wille has been hired as the school’s first Head Women’s Volleyball Coach in its 95-year history. Wille will lead the inaugural program as Marmion transitions to a co-educational institution beginning with the 2026–27 school year.

Though young in age, Wille brings with her a wealth of experience both on and off the court. A lifelong volleyball player, her competitive career was cut short by injury, but her passion for the game fueled a natural transition into coaching. Since 2019, she has been deeply involved in the local volleyball community, coaching athletes of all ages and managing operations for the Cyclones Volleyball Club, a well-respected program in the Fox Valley area. In this role, she has overseen program expansion, created training environments tailored to varying skill levels, and provided leadership development for both players and coaches.

Wille also brings unique perspective through her academic background. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a second degree in Behavioral/Disabilities Studies, which she integrates into her coaching philosophy. Her approach emphasizes teamwork, communication, resilience, and respect—while fostering an environment where athletes feel supported, empowered, and celebrated.

“I am incredibly excited to join Marmion Academy and to help establish the foundation of the women’s volleyball program,” Wille said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up, and I look forward to empowering our student-athletes both on and off the court.”

Marmion Academy Athletic Director Joe Currie expressed enthusiasm for Wille’s leadership: “Megan’s experience, energy, and vision make her the perfect fit to lead our first women’s volleyball program. She not only understands the game, but she also understands the importance of developing the whole student-athlete.”

Marmion Academy looks forward to the launch of women’s athletics in 2026 and is confident that under Wille’s leadership, the volleyball program will quickly become a source of pride and tradition for the entire Marmion community.

Anne Iwinski – Women’s Varsity Soccer Coach

Anne brings nearly three decades of playing and coaching experience to the field, with a lifelong passion for the game and a proven track record of developing talent at all levels.

A Naperville native, Anne played for top-tier club teams throughout her youth. At Naperville Central High School, she was a four-year varsity starter and a three-time All-Conference selection. In her senior year, she earned All-State and All-Midwest honors while leading the Redhawks to back-to-back state finals appearances in her junior and senior seasons. She held the school’s single-season scoring record for an impressive 30 years before it was broken in 2025.

Anne went on to play NCAA Division I soccer at Northern Illinois University, where she became the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points. She was a four-time All-Conference player and was named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year as a senior. Her contributions to the sport have been recognized with induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame at both Naperville Central and NIU.

With 28 years of coaching experience, Anne has worked across all levels of the game. She spent five years as part of the Illinois Olympic Development Program (ODP) coaching staff, training some of the top female soccer players in the state. Over her club coaching career, she has helped guide numerous athletes to successful collegiate careers at programs such as the University of Missouri, University of Tennessee, DePaul University, University of Illinois–Springfield, North Central College, Illinois Wesleyan, Case Western Reserve University, and many more.

Most recently, Anne coached the River Light FC Women’s Reserve team, working with a talented group of current NCAA players and elite high school athletes from across the Chicago area.

In addition to her new role, Anne also serves as our Head Men’s Varsity Soccer Coach. We are super excited to have Anne leading both of our programs and bringing her passion, experience, and proven success to guide the next generation of Marmion soccer players.

Dan Murray – Women’s Varsity Basketball Coach

Marmion Academy is thrilled to announce the hiring of Dan Murray as the school’s first-ever women’s basketball coach, as the Academy prepares to welcome young women beginning in the 2026–27 school year. With an extraordinary career spanning 25 years on the sidelines, Coach Murray brings with him a tradition of excellence, leadership, and a proven track record of building winning programs.

Over the course of his career, Murray has established himself as one of the most accomplished high school coaches in Illinois. His journey includes 10 successful years at Immaculate Conception in Elmhurst, three years at Lisle High School, and the past 12 years at Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights. Along the way, he has guided his teams to 14 regional titles, 5 sectional championships, 9 Sweet 16 appearances, a third-place state finish, and an incredible 14 seasons of 20 or more wins—including 8 seasons with 25+ victories. Murray’s excellence has been recognized with 11 District Coach of the Year honors.

But beyond the wins and accolades, Coach Murray is known for instilling the values of hard work, perseverance, and team unity. His leadership has inspired countless student-athletes not only to succeed on the court but also to continue their playing careers at the next level and thrive in all walks of life.

“We are truly blessed to welcome Coach Murray to Marmion Academy,” said Joe Currie, Athletic Director. “He has been successful everywhere he has gone, building programs that not only win but also develop young people into outstanding leaders. His vision, passion, and record of success make him the perfect choice to build our first women’s basketball program.”

Coach Murray is energized by the opportunity to launch this new era in Marmion history and is eager to build a program rooted in the same values that have fueled his success for more than two decades. “I am excited to get started at Marmion and to create a program that emphasizes hard work, perseverance, and team unity,” he shared.

Dave Richert – Men’s Varsity Tennis Coach

A lifelong Aurora resident, Coach Richert’s passion for tennis began right here in the Fox Valley, where he grew up playing at the Aurora Tennis Club under the guidance of legendary local coaches Jack Sharp, Bill Dahm, Don Davis, and Harry Patterson. He went on to play high school tennis for West Aurora from 1987–91 on a powerhouse program that had captured over 20 consecutive sectional championships. Richert continued his career at Aurora University, competing under Coach Jerry Thomas on a team that played at the national level.
With over two decades of leadership and coaching experience, Coach Richert most recently served as the Varsity Boys’ Tennis Coach at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, where he focused on building strong team culture, refining players’ skills, and fostering a competitive yet supportive environment.

A lifelong player and student of the game, Coach Richert believes in developing athletes both on and off the court—emphasizing discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork. His coaching style blends strategic training, personalized player development, and a commitment to helping each student-athlete reach their full potential.

Off the court, Coach Richert enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura, their two daughters, and two grandchildren, as well as staying active through golf and other sports.

Trending Posts

Follow us on social media for the latest updates, news, and events!

Our Newsletter

Follow The Faith. Grow In Spirit. Stay Connected With Marmion