An Illinois State alum with invaluable Illinois high school and AAU ties, along with more than a decade of head coaching experience, has joined the Redbird men’s basketball program, as ISU head coach Dan Muller announced the hiring of Luke Yaklich (YAUK-lich) as an assistant coach Friday.
Yaklich previously served as the head boy’s basketball coach at Joliet Township High School in Joliet, Ill., for the past six seasons, and also as a coach for the Joliet Pride and Illinois Wolves AAU teams. In total, Yaklich has worked as a high school head coach and teacher for 14 years.
"I couldn’t be more excited to add Luke to our staff," Muller said. "He’s an ISU alum who has been a successful head coach, an unbelievable teacher and is a great family man. He is well-respected in the state of Illinois among other coaches, and Luke will really compliment our staff. I feel very blessed and truly believe that I have the best staff in the country at this point."
Yaklich and Muller first worked together 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 is thrilled to now reunite with Muller at Illinois State.
"Joining Coach Muller’s staff at ISU is a tremendous honor and a privilege to come back to my alma mater and help teach, guide and mentor the student-athletes in our men’s basketball program and help them achieve in the classroom, on the court and in the community," Yaklich said. "I’m very excited to join his staff and continue to build a championship program at Illinois State."
Yaklich most recently led Joliet West High School to the IHSA Class 4A Lockport Regional Championship. 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 overall record at Joliet.
Yaklich served as the head boy’s basketball coach at LaSalle-Peru Township High School from 2003-07. He also presided as the Sterling High School head boy’s basketball coach from 2000-03 and the head girl’s basketball coach at LaSalle-Peru from 1999-2000.
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