MEN'S SOCCER
Plotkin, Mark
Mark Plotkin
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- mplotkin@depaul.edu
- Phone:
- (773) 325-7231
Mark Plotkin will begin his eighth season at the helm of the DePaul men's soccer program in the fall of 2025. The former Blue Demon returned to lead his alma mater as the seventh head coach in program history on Dec. 21, 2017.
After leading the Blue Demons back to the postseason for the first time since 2016, Plotkin signed a contract extension to keep him at the helm of the program through January of 2028.
In 2024, DePaul advanced to the BIG EAST Quarterfinals behind one of its most prolific offensive seasons in two decades. The Blue Demons posted 1.88 goals per game to boast a scoring offense that ranked 31st in the country at season's end. DePaul was led by sophomore Noeh Hernandez, the 2024 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, who totaled 25 points on eight goals and nine assists. Across the season, the Blue Demons saw goal contribution from 13 different scorers, the most since at least the 2002 season.
Signature wins included a 3-1 win over Loyola on Sept. 24 which marked DePaul's first win over the Ramblers since the 2013 season. The Blue Demons handed LU just their fifth loss at home since the 2021 season. In conference play, the Blue Demons knocked off Creighton 2-0 on Oct. 4 for the program's first road win over the Bluejays.
The Blue Demons continue to excel in the classroom under Plotkin, earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 21st-straight year in 2025. The program compiled a 3.48 GPA in the 2024-25 academic year.
Over his seven seasons leading the Blue Demons have totaled a 32-51-26 overall record. Plotkin and Co. assembled the best season of his tenure during the fall of 2021, posting a 7-7-3 record and a 3-4-3 clip in conference action. The seven wins and three BIG EAST victories were both career-bests for Plotkin in Lincoln Park as head coach.
During non-conference action in 2021, the Blue Demons assembled a 4-3 record while rattling off three straight wins for the first time since 2009. Plotkin's squad picked up a win over Bradley for the first time since 1990 and also went on the road to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers, 1-0. In conference play, the Blue Demons collected wins versus UConn, Creighton and at Villanova. By the time the campaign had wrapped up, DePaul totaled its most wins in a season since 2016.
In a COVID-shortened season during the 2020-21 school year, Plotkin's squad assembled a 2-5-2 record while claiming conference wins over Xavier and Creighton. The victory at Wish Field over Creighton on March 13, 2021 was the first in program history over the Bluejays.
During his first season leading the Blue Demons in the fall of 2018, Plotkin secured his first career victory as head coach against then-No. 14 ranked Western Michigan and finished out the season with a 5-9-3 record, including a 2-1 double OT win over BIG EAST foe Providence and a 1-0 defeat of Xavier.
While on staff at Colgate from 2014-2017, Plotkin helped guide the Raiders to the 2015 regular season and the last two Patriot League tournament championships during his tenure in Hamilton, N.Y. Colgate captured the 2017 Patriot League Championship before advancing to the third round of the NCAA Championship. The 2017 campaign for the Raiders was the most successful in school history as Colgate won its first NCAA Tournament game before reaching the Sweet 16 with a 3-2 win over No. 13 Michigan in the second round.
Prior to serving as an assistant coach at DePaul for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Plotkin spent two years as Director of Operations at Northwestern. During his time in Evanston, he facilitated game-day set-up for home games, assisted with organization of travel arrangements, aided in the production of video analysis/scouting and directed the program’s fundraising efforts.
During his playing career, Plotkin helped the Blue Demons to four consecutive appearances in the BIG EAST tournament, including semifinal appearances in 2007 and 2008. Plotkin was a driving force behind DePaul winning the BIG EAST Red Division title and earning the program's first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2007. He finished his career in 2009 tied for fifth all-time in games started with 74.
The 2010 DePaul graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and completed his master’s degree in sports administration at Northwestern in 2012.
Mark and his wife, the former Christen Baillie, who is also a DePaul graduate, reside in Chicago with their daughter Zoe.
After leading the Blue Demons back to the postseason for the first time since 2016, Plotkin signed a contract extension to keep him at the helm of the program through January of 2028.
In 2024, DePaul advanced to the BIG EAST Quarterfinals behind one of its most prolific offensive seasons in two decades. The Blue Demons posted 1.88 goals per game to boast a scoring offense that ranked 31st in the country at season's end. DePaul was led by sophomore Noeh Hernandez, the 2024 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, who totaled 25 points on eight goals and nine assists. Across the season, the Blue Demons saw goal contribution from 13 different scorers, the most since at least the 2002 season.
Signature wins included a 3-1 win over Loyola on Sept. 24 which marked DePaul's first win over the Ramblers since the 2013 season. The Blue Demons handed LU just their fifth loss at home since the 2021 season. In conference play, the Blue Demons knocked off Creighton 2-0 on Oct. 4 for the program's first road win over the Bluejays.
The Blue Demons continue to excel in the classroom under Plotkin, earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 21st-straight year in 2025. The program compiled a 3.48 GPA in the 2024-25 academic year.
Over his seven seasons leading the Blue Demons have totaled a 32-51-26 overall record. Plotkin and Co. assembled the best season of his tenure during the fall of 2021, posting a 7-7-3 record and a 3-4-3 clip in conference action. The seven wins and three BIG EAST victories were both career-bests for Plotkin in Lincoln Park as head coach.
During non-conference action in 2021, the Blue Demons assembled a 4-3 record while rattling off three straight wins for the first time since 2009. Plotkin's squad picked up a win over Bradley for the first time since 1990 and also went on the road to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers, 1-0. In conference play, the Blue Demons collected wins versus UConn, Creighton and at Villanova. By the time the campaign had wrapped up, DePaul totaled its most wins in a season since 2016.
In a COVID-shortened season during the 2020-21 school year, Plotkin's squad assembled a 2-5-2 record while claiming conference wins over Xavier and Creighton. The victory at Wish Field over Creighton on March 13, 2021 was the first in program history over the Bluejays.
During his first season leading the Blue Demons in the fall of 2018, Plotkin secured his first career victory as head coach against then-No. 14 ranked Western Michigan and finished out the season with a 5-9-3 record, including a 2-1 double OT win over BIG EAST foe Providence and a 1-0 defeat of Xavier.
While on staff at Colgate from 2014-2017, Plotkin helped guide the Raiders to the 2015 regular season and the last two Patriot League tournament championships during his tenure in Hamilton, N.Y. Colgate captured the 2017 Patriot League Championship before advancing to the third round of the NCAA Championship. The 2017 campaign for the Raiders was the most successful in school history as Colgate won its first NCAA Tournament game before reaching the Sweet 16 with a 3-2 win over No. 13 Michigan in the second round.
Prior to serving as an assistant coach at DePaul for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Plotkin spent two years as Director of Operations at Northwestern. During his time in Evanston, he facilitated game-day set-up for home games, assisted with organization of travel arrangements, aided in the production of video analysis/scouting and directed the program’s fundraising efforts.
During his playing career, Plotkin helped the Blue Demons to four consecutive appearances in the BIG EAST tournament, including semifinal appearances in 2007 and 2008. Plotkin was a driving force behind DePaul winning the BIG EAST Red Division title and earning the program's first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2007. He finished his career in 2009 tied for fifth all-time in games started with 74.
The 2010 DePaul graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and completed his master’s degree in sports administration at Northwestern in 2012.
Mark and his wife, the former Christen Baillie, who is also a DePaul graduate, reside in Chicago with their daughter Zoe.
Plotkin Head Coaching Career
| Season | School | Overall | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DePaul | 6-8-3 | 2-4-2 |
| 2023 | DePaul | 3-7-5 | 1-4-3 |
| 2022 | DePaul | 4-6-7 | 1-4-5 |
| 2021 | DePaul | 7-7-3 | 3-4-3 |
| 2020 | DePaul | 2-5-2 | 2-5 |
| 2019 | DePaul | 5-9-3 | 1-5-3 |
| 2018 | DePaul | 5-9-3 | 2-5-2 |
| Overall | 32-51-26 | 12-31-18 |
Men's Soccer vs. Loyola Chicago Highlights
Sunday, September 07
Men's Soccer vs. UIC Highlights
Thursday, September 04
Men's Soccer vs. St. Thomas Highlights
Sunday, August 31
Men's Soccer vs. Chicago State Highlights
Thursday, August 28
