UIC hoops coach Collins takes leave of absence

Dec. 23, 2006

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Illinois-Chicago basketball coach Jimmy Collins took a personal leave of absence from the team beginning Saturday.

UIC athletic director Jim Schmidt announced in a release that there is no timetable for the return of Collins, who is in his 11th season with the Flames and the school's all-time winningest coach.

Associate head coach Mark Coomes took over and guided UIC to a 77-69 loss to Illinois State on Saturday afternoon. It was the first loss in five home games this season for the Flames (6-8).

Collins, 56, became UIC coach on March 27, 1996, after 13 years on the staff of Lou Henson at Illinois. He has a record of 168-146 with NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2004.

Coomes also was a long-time assistant under Henson before coaching at Wabash Valley College from 1994-96. He came to UIC as part of Collins' staff.

Collins has a wife and four children.