CHICAGO – Following the announcement of head coach Mike Dee's retirement on June 15, Sean McDermott has been elevated to acting head coach. McDermott arrived at UIC with Dee ahead of the 1999 season and been on the bench for more than 1,200 games since. McDermott will assume permanent leadership of the program pending approval by the Board of Trustees.
 
"I am deeply grateful that the current staff will continue to grow this program and I have little doubt that they will elevate the program to even greater heights," said Dee.
 
"Mike provided the vision of what UIC Baseball could look like 23 years ago and he built a program founded on the development of the whole student-athlete," said McDermott. "His true appreciation for the student-athlete has been displayed throughout his career as he's always pushed our players and coaches to be the best they can be in all areas of their life. There is no doubt that Mike's leadership and dedication have led to the consistent success of our UIC Baseball program.
 
"The expectations for UIC Baseball have been changed forever due to Mike's leadership. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me 23 years ago and he has been a good mentor, leader and friend ever since," said McDermott. "I am truly excited for him and [wife] Annie to share the next chapter in their lives together."
 
During McDermott's time on the bench, the Flames have claimed 680 victories, 12 Horizon League championships and six NCAA Tournament berths (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2017 and 2019).
 
Over the past 23 seasons, 117 players have earned First Team or Second Team All-Conference distinction, including seven in 2021. UIC has seen at least seven players voted to the All-Conference Team nine times under Dee's direction, and at least two players every single season. On top of that, 56 former standouts were picked for the All-Newcomer of All-Freshman Team, including the 2021 Freshman of the Year, Cole Conn.
 
UIC has produced 17 All-Region honorees, eight All-Americans and nine freshmen All-Americans since 2002. The Flames have had the conference's Newcomer of the Year eight times, the Pitcher of the Year six times, the Relief Pitcher of the Year six times and the Player of the Year four times.
 
More than 50 former players moved on from UIC to play professional baseball. In the last three full Major League Baseball drafts since 2017, 11 student-athletes were drafted by eight different organizations and three more signed professional contracts as free agents.
 
Undoubtedly the most recognizable name to emerge from the UIC baseball program since McDermott has been on staff is Curtis Granderson, the three-time MLB All-Star, four-time Marvin Miller Man of the Year honoree and 2016 Roberto Clemente Man of the Year recipient. After starring as an outfielder for the Flames from 2000-02, Granderson would go on to play in more than 2,000 games with seven clubs over 16 seasons.
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video