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Sources: UIC Hires Steve McClain

By Chris Emma-

(CBS) UIC has made its hire, selecting Indiana assistant Steve McClain as its next head coach, multiple sources said Saturday.

An Orient, Iowa native, McClain has served as an assistant to Tom Crean following a three-year stint as an assistant at Colorado. He was previously head coach of Wyoming, with a record of 157-115 in nine seasons, and he led the program to four postseason appearances, including the NCAA Tournament in 2002. Much of his success came at the junior college level.

As head coach at Wyoming, McClain led the Cowboys to an 18-10 record and the NIT second round in his first season, then followed with seasons of 19, 20, 22 and 21 wins. However, he won just 57 games in the next four seasons and was dismissed after the 2006-07 season.

Former Oregon State head coach and Chicago native Craig Robinson was also a candidate for the UIC position, though a source said those talks broke down on Friday. He and McClain each interviewed for the job earlier in the week.

The Flames fired Howard Moore on March 10 after five years as head coach and a 6-25 final season, cutting ties with three years left on a five-year extension given after the 2012-13 season. Terms of McClain's deal aren't currently known.

UIC hasn't played in the NCAA Tournament since 2004, joining DePaul as the last Chicago schools to reach that stage.

An official announcement from UIC is expected soon, and an introduction will occur Wednesday.

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.

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