Luke Yaklich, entering his fourth season on the Illinois State men’s basketball staff, has been promoted to associate head coach, it was announced by head coach Dan Muller Tuesday.
“Luke has exceeded all expectations since his arrival three years ago,” Muller said. “From our academic success, to on-the-court coaching, to recruiting, Luke has grown at a remarkable rate into one of the best basketball coaches in the country. His hard work and loyalty to our program make him an excellent coach and mentor for our players. I did not decide to ‘give’ this position to Luke, he truly earned it, and we are lucky to have him in our program.”
Yaklich joined Muller’s staff in July of 2013. Throughout his three-year stint as an assistant coach, Yaklich has directed ISU men’s basketball academic efforts while assisting in recruiting, scheduling, scouting and player skill development.
“I am grateful for the opportunity Dan afforded me three years ago to coach and mentor the student-athletes at Illinois State, and I am honored by the confidence he has shown by naming me to this position,” Yaklich said. “I have immense pride in this University, my alma mater, and I am appreciative that I get to promote everything it has to offer student-athletes across the country. I’m thankful for having worked alongside other terrific coaches along the way who have prepared and help me develop as a college basketball coach. I look forward to continuing to assist the student-athletes and Dan on and off the court.”
Under Yaklich’s guidance, ISU established a team grade-point average record with a 2.99 GPA in the fall of 2014, breaking the previous mark by 0.13 points. Illinois State then earned a 2.82 cumulative team GPA during the 2015-16 academic year to achieve another record. Along with success in the classroom, Yaklich helped guide the Redbirds to a 58-43 record and two postseason berths over the past three seasons.
Yaklich was previously the head boys’ basketball coach at Joliet Township High School in Joliet, Illinois, for six seasons (three in the combined Joliet Township program and three at Joliet West), and also as a coach for the Joliet Pride and Illinois Wolves AAU teams. In total, Yaklich worked as a high school head coach and teacher for 14 years.
Yaklich and Muller first teamed up as students at Illinois State, beginning in 1996. Yaklich served as the men’s basketball manager/student assistant from 1996-98 while Muller played his final two seasons. Yaklich did his part in helping ISU to two regular-season and Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles, including trips to the NCAA Tournament in 1997 and 1998.
As a high school coach, Yaklich led Joliet West to the 2013 IHSA Class 4A Lockport Regional title. The Tigers finished the season with a 19-8 record, ending in the sectional semifinals. He also led the 2009-10 Joliet Township team to a 24-8 mark and the Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional Championship.
For his efforts, Yaklich was named 2010 District 9 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Coach of the Year. He compiled a 104-62 (.635) record at Joliet.
Before that, Yaklich served as the head boys’ basketball coach at La Salle-Peru Township High School from 2003-07. He also presided as the Sterling High School head boys’ basketball coach from 2000-03 and the head girls’ basketball coach at La Salle-Peru from 1999-2000.
A 1994 graduate of La Salle-Peru High School, Yaklich played his high school basketball for the Cavaliers. Yaklich graduated from Illinois State in 1998 and later earned two master’s degrees from Olivet Nazarene.
Along with coaching, Yaklich taught, primarily U.S. History, at the high school level.
Yaklich is married to Amy Yaklich, and the couple has three children: Olivia, Griffin and Taylor.
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