Collins makes statement

ABSENCE WILL CONTINUE FOR NOW

(12/28/06)

Jeffers leads Flames’ rally past CSU

Photo: Mike Okoniewski/UIC athletics UIC coach Jimmy Collins made his first statement since taking a leave of absence last week.

UIC coach Jimmy Collins said that stress and exhaustion has caused him to take his personal leave over the past several days.

In a prepared statement from UIC athletics on Thursday morning, Collins made his first comments about his situation since requesting time off last Friday.

“I would like to thank Jim Schmidt, Athletic Director; Sylvia Manning, UIC Chancellor; and Barbara Henley, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, for allowing me to take a leave of absence during what has been a difficult time,” Collins said. “I also want to thank my coaching staff and players for their continued hard work and support of each other in my absence. I know this has not made things easy for anyone.

“Directing a college basketball team can be a taxing profession at times and in the last few weeks I have found myself both physically and mentally exhausted,” Collins continued. “After the game at Penn, I realized that the disposition of myself and the team was causing un-needed stress amongst the team and not allowing my players the best opportunity to succeed. I decided upon returning to Chicago that it would be best for me personally, and for this basketball team, if I took some time away, which is when I contacted Jim Schmidt requesting a leave of absence.”

When Collins made his decision, the Flames were in the midst of a four-game, eight-day stretch, which included games with Akron, Mississippi, Penn and Illinois State. The middle two games were on the road as the team flew from Chicago to Oxford, Miss., back to Chicago, to Philadelphia and back, all within five days.

Collins is in his 11th year as head coach at UIC and became the school’s all-time winningest coach on Dec. 12, 2004 with a 76-67 win over UNC-Wilmington.

He has led the Flames to four postseason berths in his first 10 seasons, including three NCAA tournaments and one NIT berth. Collins has also guided UIC to one regular-season title and two Horizon League tournament titles. He was the MCC’s Co-Coach of the Year in 1997 after his first season at UIC, guiding the Flames to a 15-14 record, getting the team within one win of the NCAA tournament after a 1-8 start.

Since Collins’ absence, associate head coach Mark Coomes has taken over running the team. The Flames defeated Cleveland State 72-62 on Wednesday night after losing to Illinois State last week. Coomes and the Flames have a week off before facing Wright State on the road next Thursday.

There is still no timetable set for Collins’ return.

In the meantime as Collins sits outs, he puts his complete trust in Coomes and wants to shift the focus to the product on the court.

“I ask that everyone continue to respect my privacy during this time,” Collins said. “The team is in more than capable hands at this juncture in associate head coach and my long-time friend Mark Coomes, and I hope the focus of UIC basketball can stay on the upcoming games and the many successes this great group of players has in front of it.”

UIC athletic director Jim Schmidt also made a prepared statement.

“Coach Collins has earned this opportunity to take some time off,” Schmidt said. “While he is on extended leave, we have every confidence in Mark Coomes’ ability to run this program and have success in and out of the classroom. I know the players will work hard for Coach Coomes and the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

Also, assistant coach Lynn Mitchem, who is in his sixth season at the school, has not been with the team since Collins left.

“This is a personnel matter and therefore I cannot comment at this time,” said Mark Rosati, UIC associate chancellor for public affairs. “Mr. Mitchem is on indefinite leave and not with the team.”