UIC hires McClain as men's basketball coach

Mar 23, 2015 - 4:53 PM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Illinois-Chicago has hired Indiana assistant Steve McClain as head men's basketball coach.

McClain spent the last five seasons on Tom Crean's staff at Indiana, most recently occupying the title of associate head coach.

"It was clear from my first meeting with Steve that he understood what it would take for UIC to return to the NCAA Tournament," said UIC athletic director Jim Schmidt. "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 was the head basketball coach at Wyoming from 1998-2007. He went 157-115 and led the Cowboys to a first-round victory over Gonzaga in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

McClain's hiring must still be approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Howard Moore was fired earlier this month after five seasons at the helm.