McClain Named Assistant Basketball Coach
April 11, 2001 | Men's Basketball
April 11, 2001
The McClain name will remain connected to the Fighting Illini men's basketball team after all. Just two weeks after Sergio McClain finished his playing career for the University of Illinois, head coach Bill Self today named his father, Wayne McClain, to the Illini coaching staff as assistant coach.
"Over the past year, I've had an opportunity to know Wayne very well through Sergio, Marcus and Frank and their association with Peoria Manual," Self said. "I've gotten to know Wayne as a father, a coach, and as someone who is extremely well respected in the coaching profession. "I've been very impressed with his knowledge of the game and his sincere affection for his players, past and present. It's very important with our current situation here at Illinois with me, Norm and Billy having been here for just a year, that we hire someone who is respected by Illinois high school coaches and someone who can tie together recruiting efforts throughout the state. We feel Wayne is the man for the job. Both he and Robin will play an active role in our recruiting, even if his primary responsibilities will fall on campus."
McClain comes to Illinois following an illustrious seven-year career as head coach at Peoria Manual High School where he led the Rams to three-straight AA state championships in his first three years as coach. USA Today named his 1997 squad, led by future Illini Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams, National High School Champions, and the senior McClain was named National High School Coach of the Year.
"I'm totally excited about this opportunity," Wayne McClain said. "Most high school coaches have a dream to move on to the next level. This move is something I've wanted for a long time. "Who better to spend your tutelage under than Bill Self. I'm very happy to be able to work with someone like Coach Self," McClain continued. "The biggest change for me is going from being a head coach and making decisions to being an assistant coach and making suggestions. I look at this move as a real positive one. I'll be learning a whole new way to do things and an entire new system. This will give me a chance to grow as a person and as a coach."
"This is a great fit for me because of the rich history of Manual basketball players such as Jerry Hester, Sergio, Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams going to Illinois."
Sergio McClain was a player on all four Manual state championship squads prior to his career at Illinois, where he helped the Illini to two Big Ten titles. He thinks his father will be an excellent collegiate coach.
"He'll fit in well here because has the same type of personality as the current coaching staff," Sergio McClain said. "He has a good rapport with the players. The biggest asset is how well he knows basketball. He's been around the gym a long time and he knows a lot about the game."
The Rams had records of 32-2, 31-2 and 31-1 in his first three seasons as head coach, winning state titles each season. McClain also earned Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in both 1995 and 1996. The Rams won Midstate Six Conference titles in each of his first five years as head coach, while Manual also advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the AA state tournament in 1998 and 1999.
McClain earned his bachelor's degree in teaching at Bradley University in 1977 where he lettered for the Braves in 1975. He earned a master's degree in physical education at Illinois State University in 1982 while teaching at Manual.
He began his high school career in the Peoria Public School system in 1977, serving as an assistant basketball coach to the legendary Dick Van Scyoc from 1988 until being named head coach in 1995. He helped the Rams to the first of four straight state titles in 1994. His teaching career includes teaching at the sixth grade level, teaching high school physical education and as the Manual High School Dean of Students.
McClain and his wife, Robin, have two children. Sergio just completed four years as a student-athlete on the UI men's basketball team, and daughter Brindeshie is an incoming freshman at the UI who plans to start school in the fall of 2001.
Wayne McClain File
Family: Wife, Robin ... Daughter, Brindeshie ... Son, Sergio. Born: Jan. 15, 1955 Education: Bradley University, BS Teaching '77 ... Illinois State University, MS Physical Education '82. Coaching Experience: 1988-94, Assistant Coach, Peoria Manual High School 1995-2001, Head Coach, Peoria Manual High SchoolHonors: 1997 USA Today National Coach of the Year ... 1995 and 1996 IBCA Coach of the Year ... 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 Tri-County Coach of the Year ... Selected to coach the Magic Johnson Roundball Classic National All-Star Game in 1997.
McClain Head Coaching Record Year W-L Team Accomplishments 1995 32-2 Illinois AA State Champions, Midstate 6 Champs 1996 31-2 Illinois AA State Champions, Midstate 6 Champs 1997 31-1 Illinois AA State Champions, Midstate 6 Champs, USA Today National Champions 1998 27-3 Illinois AA Sweet Sixteen, Midstate 6 Champs 1999 26-5 Illinois AA Sweet Sixteen, Midstate 6 Champs 2000 14-13 2001 16-9 Totals 177-35(.835) -UI-
