Mary Shimko returned to Waltham to join the Brandeis womens soccer coaching staff in early 2017. In her first season on the sidelines, she helped the Judges to the second round of the NCAA tournament, their fourth-straight bid. The Judges reached the second round before falling to eventual national champions Williams.  Shimko came to Brandeis after spending one season as an assistant coach for College of the Holy Cross. As an assistant, she was involved with recruiting, compliance, and the team's volunteer activities. Shimko directed the Crusaders inaugural fall identification clinic. She also worked as an assistant camp director.  Prior to her time at Holy Cross, Shimko spent two seasons as an assistant coach for Smith College, where she helped the Pioneers to a pair of NEWMAC Tournament appearances. Shimko was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Judges. She helped the Judges to two NCAA appearances, including the program's first-ever berth in the Elite Eight in 2010. Shimko tallied nine goals and seven assists, including four game-winning goals in her time with Brandeis to compile 24 points, best of the class of 2014. Shimko earned three Academic All-UAA honors in her career. She was a 2014 recipient of the James McCully Award. Shimko is a 2014 Brandeis graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, earning her Masters of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from Smith in 2016. She owns an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and her USSF D License.  She was selected to be a part of the Women's Coaches Alliance Mentorship Program, where she completed a nine-month mentorship course. She is also the head coach of the NEFC-Breakers 2001 Central Elite Team, along with assisting with 2002 Central Elite Team. Shimko has also coached for the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program. Over the summer of 2018, Shimko is leading the department's efforts to develop a student-athlete leadership program.