Illinois names Bollant as women's hoops coach

Mar 29, 2012 - 12:48 AM Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - Illinois hired Matt Bollant as the new head coach of the women's basketball team on Wednesday.

Bollant replaces Jolette Law, who was fired earlier in the month after spending five seasons as the head coach, compiling a 69-93 mark which included an 11-19 record this past season.

Coming to Illinois from Green Bay, Bollant guided the team to an 148-19 mark, which included an 85-5 mark in the Horizon League and the team was 31-2 this past season.

"The opportunity to coach in the Big Ten and at such a prestigious institution like the University of Illinois is very exciting for me," said Bollant. "I enjoyed my years at Green Bay and am proud of the success we had there. I couldn't ask for a better relationship with a group of people. Having said that, my family and I are at peace with this decision. Illinois is simply the right fit. The pieces are in place here to be competitive both in the Big Ten and nationally."

Green Bay reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a seventh-seed, but lost to No. 2 seed Kentucky. Thanks to his efforts this season, Bollant was named the Horizon League Coach of the Year for a fourth time.