Illinois-Chicago Head Basketball Coach Howard Moore finalized his staff for the 2014-15 season as he announced the hiring of Matt Saey and Phil Gaul on Wednesday afternoon. Saey will serve as the Director of Player Development, while Gaul will work as the Director of Basketball Operations, pending Board of Trustees approval.
“I am thrilled to have Matt and Phil join our staff,” said Moore. “Both individuals hold qualities that I highly value and I know they will treat their positions with respect and commitment.”
Saey spent the last four years as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Ill., the school’s first full-time person in that position. Saey created and implemented a training program from scratch and helped significantly revamp the Lions’ weight room facility. He was responsible for the development of nearly 400 student-athletes competing in more than 20 varsity sports. Saey was one of just three full-time high school strength coaches in the state of Illinois.
Before his time at Saint Viator, Saey worked the Flames’ strength and conditioning department as an assistant coach from 2006 to 2010. Saey worked directly with the men’s basketball team along with volleyball, swimming, track, gymnastics and tennis. He graduated from Western Illinois with a degree in Exercise Physiology and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Saey is also a sports performance coach certified by USA Weightlifting.
“Matt brings a wealth of knowledge about human performance to our program,” said Moore. “His expertise spans across many platforms, including strength training, conditioning and nutrition. He has an extremely high energy level which will fit in well with our team.”
Gaul has spent the past four years with the UIC men’s basketball team, beginning as a student manager during Moore’s first year with the Flames and worked his way up to program assistant. Last season, Gaul oversaw the student manager program and aided the squad in several logistical areas. Gaul’s duties will include the coordination of team travel, budgetary responsibilities and practice schedules among other team-oriented tasks.
“Phil has proven himself through hard work and competency,” said Moore. “His dedication and attention to detail will make him a great addition to our staff
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