CHICAGO – UIC head men's basketball coach
Luke Yaklich announced the addition of
Brock Erickson to the Flames coaching staff on Wednesday, April 1. Erickson most recently worked at Bryant University where he spent two seasons as the associate head coach.
"We are excited to have
Brock Erickson as a member of our UIC Flames staff," said Yaklich. "He brings a wide variety of experiences from different areas of the country. He has played an integral role in program building and winning at each school during his coaching career. He has earned a great reputation as a hard-working recruiter, which is something I saw and appreciated during my time at Illinois State. He has a passion and energy on the court and has played a key role in skill development on every staff. His ability to connect will make a great mentor for our student-athletes."
"I'm thrilled for the opportunity to work with Luke," said Erickson. "I share his vision of what the men's basketball program at this great institution can become. I am honored to represent UIC and look forward to bringing a Horizon League championship to the University."
In Erickson's second year with the Bulldogs in 2019-20, he helped coach freshman
Michael Green III to Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year honors, while guiding two additional student-athletes to All-NEC accolades.
Benson Lin joined Green on the NEC All-Rookie Team and
Adam Grant was tabbed as a Second Team All-NEC selection.
The Bulldogs controlled the glass last year, finishing the season 11
th nationally in rebounds per game (40.28). Erickson's first season saw Grant earn NABC All-District honors in addition to being one of three Bulldogs to garner All-NEC recognition. Off the court, the Bulldogs posted the highest GPA in program history while Erickson was on staff.
Erickson joined Bryant after serving as an assistant at Kent State during the 2017-18 season. The Golden Flashes advanced to the Mid-American Conference semifinals and picked up wins on the season over NCAA Second Round team Buffalo and Pac-12 member Oregon State. The Kent State backcourt was directed by
Jalen Avery, the nation's top player in assist-to-turnover ratio (5.04) that year.
Erickson spent four years (2013-17) on the staff at Iona, a tenure that featured four postseason bids. The Gales won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship in each of Erickson's final two seasons to advance to the NCAA Tournament while earning NIT bids in Erickson's first two years. Iona won 22 games in each of Erickson's final two seasons, earning a 14seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2017 and a 13seed in the 2016 field.
Prior to his time at Iona, Erickson served as the head coach at State College of Florida in Bradenton, Fla. In 2012-13, he guided the Manatees to a No. 8 ranking by the Florida College System Activities Association. His team led the nation in scoring that season at 95.1 points per game. SCF captured the 2013 Suncoast Conference Tournament title and qualified for the state tournament for the second time in 15 years.
Erickson's coaching resume also includes stints as an assistant coach at Monroe College, College of Eastern Utah and City College of New York. All three programs set new benchmarks for wins during his time on the bench.
Erickson played collegiately at Rhode Island before transferring to Assumption. Erickson graduated from Assumption in 1998 with a degree in business communications.