The University of Illinois Springfield athletics department announced today that men’s basketball head coach Bill Walker will not return for the 2019-20 season as he pursues other opportunities.

“Bill has represented the UIS men’s basketball program with a high level of integrity and character,” said Director of Athletics Jim Sarra. “We appreciate all his efforts in guiding the program and positioning the Prairie Stars to be successful in the future. We wish Bill, his wife Karen, and his family nothing but the best moving forward.

“We expect to compete for GLVC Championships and NCAA postseason appearances, and we will work hard to find the right person to lead the Prairie Stars on this path.”

Walker just completed his fifth season as the head coach of the men’s basketball program. He had a career record of 59-80, including back-to-back 14-14 seasons the last two years. The Prairie Stars made two GLVC Tournament appearances in that span in 2015 and 2016.

A national search led by Sarra will begin immediately for the new men’s basketball head coach.