CHICAGO -- UIC head men's basketball coach Steve McClain and head strength and conditioning coach Nick Zostautas recently announced the addition of Gabe Derman as the Director of Player Performance for the men's basketball program.

"We are incredibly fortunate and excited to bring Gabe Derman back home to Chicago to lead our Player Performance program," said McClain. "Early in his career he has been mentored by some of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the country who are among the very best at what they do in basketball and beyond. This is a very important position on our staff and Gabe came highly recommended to us to fill the role. I have no doubt that his knowledge and skill will benefit our players and staff and elevate the entire program immediately."

"First, I would like to thank Garrett Klassy, Farrah Manthei, Coach McClain, and Coach Zostautas for the incredible opportunity to return home to Chicago and join the UIC Athletics family," said Derman. "I look forward to contributing to the success of the men's basketball program under Coach McClain and helping this program continue to grow. It is an honor serve this athletic department and help develop these student-athletes on and off the court. I am excited to get to work."

Derman returns to the Chicago area after stints at the University of Texas and the University of Washington.  He spent the last two years in Seattle working with the Huskies' baseball, golf, and tennis teams. The 2018 baseball squad made the College World Series for the first time in program history. He also assisted with the daily training for the men's basketball team, which won the Pac-12 regular season championship and advanced to the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.  Derman played a key role in designing and administering workouts for Pac-12 Player of the Year Jaylen Nowell and Pac-12 and Naismith College Defensive Player of the Year Matisse Thybulle.

Prior to his time in the Pacific Northwest, Derman earned his Master's degree in Exercise Science with a specialization in Sports Science and Sport Nutrition at the University of Texas while working with its basketball, baseball and track and field squads from 2015 to 2017. The Longhorns earned an NCAA Tournament bid in 2015-16 on the strength of a 20-win season.
 
A native of nearby Evanston, Ill., Derman earned his bachelor's degree in Movement Science at the University of Michigan. He also completed internships at UCLA, DePaul, and EFT Sports Performance in suburban Highland Park, Ill.

Derman is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association, and is CPR/AED certified.

What They're Saying About Gabe Derman:

Todd Tuetken, Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning, University of Washington
"Coach Derman was paramount in the implementation of the University of Washington Strength and Conditioning Culture. He is a servant leader, always putting the needs of athletes, staff and the University first. Through a holistic approach to training, he takes into account the physical qualities, as well as emotional needs of the student-athletes. Coach Derman is innovative and implements an approach based on best practices to improve athletic performance."

Daniel Roose, Director of Athletic Performance – Men's Basketball, University of Texas
"Gabe Derman is a rising star in the athletic performance world. He has a unique ability to connect with the student-athlete, paired with an outstanding base of knowledge in human performance."

Dr. John Wagle, Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Kansas City Royals
"I have had the privilege of working with few coaches that have the level of resolve, expertise, and commitment to excellence that Gabe possesses. I am excited to see him bring that same passion for athlete development to the program at UIC. He is certainly the type of addition that can immediately make a positive impact on the physical preparation of the players and the culture of a program."