CHICAGO – UIC head coach Steve McClain announced on July 31 that assistant coach Seth Cooper will leave his post with the Flames to accept a position as a Player Development Coach with the Golden State Warriors.

"We knew when he joined our program that Seth is one of the best player development coaches in the country at any level," said McClain. "Over the last three years he has continued to work hard in order to make everyone around him better. Seth has such a clear understanding of how to help players understand how they can get better every single day. There is no doubt that he has had a significant impact on our program over the last three years. The Warriors organization made themselves even better by bringing him on board to work with their young core."

"I loved my time at UIC working with Coach McClain, the players and the rest of the staff as we were able to accomplish a lot in three seasons," said Cooper. "My wife Corina and I are excited about our new opportunity, but will enjoy following the Flames from afar as they continue to reach new heights."

In Golden State, Cooper joins an organization that has reached the NBA Finals five consecutive times since 2015. The Warriors have been crowned champions three times during that span, most recently winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

In Cooper's three seasons on staff, UIC averaged more than 17 wins per season. In his first year on the bench the Flames won 17 games and returned to the postseason for the first time since 2013 as he helped the team reach the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Year two featured the program's first 20-win season in 14 years along with another postseason bid, this time in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). That group battled hard and reached the championship game of that tournament.

During Cooper's tenure on the bench at UIC the Flames set several single-season records. The 2016-17 team scored the most points (2,749) and rebounds (1,426) in program history. The 2017-18 squad accrued the most blocks (242) and field-goal attempts (2,115) ever. Cooper helped mentor among others two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year Tai Odiase, 2019 All-Horizon League and NABC All-District selection Tarkus Ferguson and 2018 Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year Godwin Boahen. He also worked closely with other Flames who have reached the professional level including Dikembe Dixson and Clint Robinson.

Prior to arriving at UIC in 2016, Cooper served as the associate head coach for the Maine Red Claws, the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics. He also has previous experience at the NBA level with the Los Angeles Clippers.