AW a Finalist for UIC job

[Braxton]

“The UIC job is down to Norfolk State's Robert Jones and Eastern Kentucky's AW Hamilton, per source. Both have term sheets.

The school recently parted ways w/ Luke Yaklich. “ @AdamZagoria on X.

Shared by Richmond Register.

[EKU05]

Honestly, if he's determined to leave, I almost hope he gets it. We're going to be starting fresh from a roster standpoint anyway, and I'd rather just get the new guy in here to build things his own way. I think it just works better from a timing standpoint. If he were likely to be here 3-4 more years I'd absolutely welcome that, but if it's probably just one or two then I say let's move on.

[EKU05]

With that said, I'm hearing that he might just be leveraging for a raise. Based on their last coach, they don't pay much more than we do, and with cost of living in Chicago it would be functionally a pay cut.

[neugie]

sounds like aw is willing toi make a lateral move to get out

[hoopseku]

I’m agreeing with 05 on this one. I think he’s staying.

[BleedMaroon]

After wondering all day about the “why” behind this possible move, my first thought was he was wanting leverage for a better contract. Then heard that AW actually has a really good relationship with the UIC athletic director. They were together at nc state….

I went from 75/25 he’s staying at eku to a 50/50

[EKU05]

It could definitely go either way.

[Sae]

I like him as our coach. That being said, if he flirts with a lateral move, bye. I won't ever blame a coach for advancing his career at a bigger program, but if you want to look at another job that's on the same level, you better hope you get it, cause you may not have a place to come back to.

[Steve 82]

I guess the question is whether a MVC job is considered a lateral to an ASUN job.

[ohcolonel6]

UIC is a far worse job than EKU. Conference? Sure, the MVC is far superior, but UIC is a bottom 20 job in my opinion. In the last 20 years the school had had a winning record 7 times. Thats it.

And in those “winning seasons” they were

2004: 15-14
2005: 16-15
2007: 18-15
2008: 16-15
2012: 18-16
2017: 20-16
2019: 18-17

For added context, in the same span, the program has had 8 seasons of 20+ losses.

Since 2004 season UIC is 259-373. That is abysmal. It shows no one has had success there or at the minimum sustained success. You go there, your coaching career will have the wheels come off the wagon.

So if he goes there he’s not making even a lateral move.