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Former Illini to join staff

Posted by: Paul Klee

Thursday, July 24, 2008 11:04 AM

Sean Harrington, who played four seasons at Illinois and graduated in 2003, has been hired as the director of basketball operations on Bruce Weber's staff. Harrington replaces longtime UI athletics presence Rod Cardinal, who's moving into a position titled coordinator of special projects in the DIA.

Harrington spent last season as the director of basketball operations on Rick Majerus' staff at Saint Louis University. Before that, he spent three seasons at Northern Illinois under Rob Judson and one season at Kansas under Bill Self.

"I've been very lucky and very fortunate to have my fourth great coach to work for with coach (Bruce) Weber," Harrington said this morning. "I'm just trying to grab a little something from each one. Hopefully that helps me and I can continue to learn."

Harrington was part of 99 wins at Illinois, which tied a record at the time. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, he also left Elgin as the high school's all-time leading scorer. Harrington said he's in the process of moving and will be in C-U on Friday.

"I think obviously the No. 1 thing is coming back to a place I call home. It was just an incredible four years at Illinois," he said. "Having orange and blue in your blood, it never seems to leave you. The opportunity to be involved with a great staff was something I couldn't pass up."

-Look for more on Harrington's hire in Friday's News-Gazette.

Klee
pklee@news-gazette.co