Illinois-Chicago fires head coach Luke Yaklich after 4 seasons

CHICAGO -- Illinois-Chicago coach Luke Yaklich was fired Sunday after the Flames went 12-21 in his fourth season.

Yaklich was an associate head coach under Shaka Smart at Texas before he was hired by UIC in March 2020. He went 47-70 with the Flames, including a 23-52 record in Missouri Valley Conference play.

"After a thorough evaluation, we determined the time has come for a change," athletic director Michael Lipitz said in a statement. "We sincerely thank Luke for his leadership over the past four seasons. He is a man of integrity and is genuinely invested in the well-being of his student-athletes. We wish him and his family every future success."

UIC lost 74-47 to Bradley on Friday in the MVC tournament. It finished the season with four losses in five games.