(Sports) Editor's Note

McClain to Parkland

Posted by: Jim Rossow

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 9:19 AM

CHAMPAIGN – Sergio McClain, a state champion at Peoria Manual and a Big Ten champion at Illinois, this morning was named Parkland College men's basketball coach.
McClain, 29, replaces Chris Warren, who resigned after six seasons.
It's the first college coaching job for McClain, who recently served as player-coach of the ABA's Peoria Kings.
"I never would have thought in a million years I would be the head coach at Parkland," McClain said. "It's a great opportunity and a stepping stone for me."
McClain also spent time assisting Champaign Central's boys' basketball program. McClain's father, Wayne, is an assistant for Bruce Weber's Illini.
"We are excited to get someone of Sergio's reputation and character to coach at Parkland," Parkland athletic director Rod Lovett said. "We hope that our players will display the same hustle, dedication and work ethic that Sergio had at Manual and Illinois."
Parkland was 10-22 last season.
McClain's hiring comes a year after Parkland tapped another coach with area ties, Karrie Redeker of Unity. In her first year in charge of the women's program, Redeker led the Cobras to a national ranking.
McClain, who ranks fifth in career steals at Illinois, played four seasons for the Illini, helping them win Big Ten titles in 1998 and 2001.
He led Peoria Manual to four consecutive IHSA Class AA state titles and was Illinois Mr. Basketball in 1997.

Comments

Be the first to share your opinion!