Mark Batman becomes head Women's Soccer coach at Toledo

By Tim Glon

ADA — Ohio Northern head women's coach Mark Batman has stepped down from his position to become the head women's soccer coach at the University of Toledo.

Batman leaves ONU as the winningest coach in program history with a 253-91-40 overall record in 19 seasons, a winning percentage of .694.

Under Batman, the Polar Bears made 14 appearances in the OAC Tournament championship game, earned seven OAC Regular Season titles and five tournament crowns and made seven NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named the OAC Coach of the Year five times, in 2007, 2012, 2017, 2019 and 2021.

"We are grateful for the years of consistent success and growth in ONU Women's Soccer," ONU director of athletics Tom Simmons said. "Mark has built a fantastic program and our student-athletes benefitted from his leadership in so many ways. We wish him the very best at Toledo. We will now focus on continuing the momentum as we prepare for the future."

Batman came to Ohio Northern after assistant coaching stints at Savannah (Ga.) Arts and Design, Dubuque (Iowa), and his alma mater, Wilmington.

During the 2022 season, the Polar Bears posted a 14-2-5 overall record and won a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference title with a 7-0-2 record. They won the OAC Tournament title and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The team secured its 19th straight winning season and 17th consecutive OAC upper-division finish.

"Ohio Northern is a great place - it is really difficult to go," Batman said. 'I am sad, excited, anxious and happy all at the same time. It was a crazy couple of days, but I have been given a tremendous opportunity in my own back yard at Toledo. Our players at ONU were shocked and disappointed, but also happy for me and I think that speaks volumes for the culture and the people at Ohio Northern. It has been a wonderful ride, but at the same time I am very excited about a new challenge at Toledo."

Ohio Northern will be a search for its fifth women's soccer coach in program history immediately.