Jimmy Collins would prefer a sabbatical.
“But basketball is full time,” he said.
Thoughts of retirement crept into Jimmy Collins’ mind last season, but he knew in the offseason that he would be leaving his post as the Illinois-Chicago basketball coach after 14 seasons. UIC announced on Tuesday night his plans to retire at the end of August.
“I have a lot of good players coming in but I’m not really preparing myself for a season,” Collins told the Tribune on Wednesday. “You have to devote full time to players coming in and to the system you’re going to run. I don’t want to let them down, I don’t want to let myself down and most importantly I don’t want to let the school down.”
Collins is the winningest coach in UIC history with a 218-208 record and guided the Flames to three NCAA tournament appearances.
His announcement comes on the heels of assistant coach Tracy Dildy’s departure to take the head coaching job at Chicago State. Collins said he thought Dildy would replace him before he took the Chicago State job but declined to say who he would like to see follow him.
Dildy told ESPN.com that UIC is targeting Illinois assistant coaches Jerrance Howard and Jay Price, Minnesota assistant coach Vince Taylor and Wisconsin assistant coach Howard Moore as replacements. Price told the Tribune he “would listen” if contacted.
Athletic director Jim Schmidt is expected to launch a national search for Collins’ replacement.
UIC’s roster is filled for the upcoming season, so Collins’ announcement will not interrupt recruiting.
While he has not brainstormed about many retirement plans, Collins said he would like to remain close to the game either as a broadcaster or acting as a scout. He also wants to spend more time with his wife and four children and hopes to start a mentoring program to help halt violence among Chicago youth.
As for September, when his retirement begins, Collins said, “I plan on relaxing for awhile.”
Tribune reporter Chris Hine contributed.
Sponsored Link: Buy NCAA apparel at our new fan shop
