IU associate head coach Steve McClain has been hired as the new head men’s basketball coach at the University of Illinois-Chicago, the school announced Monday morning.
McClain spent five seasons on IU’s staff. Before that, he spent time coaching at Colorado, Texas A&M, TCU and Wyoming, where he was head coach for nine seasons.
He also spent time at a handful of junior colleges, winning the 1994 National Junior College Championship with Hutchinson Community College.
“It was clear from my first meeting with Steve that he understood what it would take for UIC to return to the NCAA Tournament,” UIC athletic director Jim Schmidt said in a release. “His energy, experience, attention to detail and thirst to win on so many levels moved him ahead of a very strong pool of candidates.”
McClain becomes the 11th head coach in Flames history. UIC, which competes in the Horizon League, finished 10-24 last season.
Alden Woods
