Justin Ingram Named UIC's Head Volleyball Coach

*Release Courtesy of UIC Athletic Communications

CHICAGO – UIC Athletic Director Jim Schmidt announced the hiring of Justin Ingram as head coach of the Flames' volleyball team on Tuesday, April 11, pending Board of Trustees approval. Ingram, who has eight years of experience as an NCAA Division I head coach, becomes the seventh head coach in program history.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring in an outstanding coach of Justin's caliber," said Schmidt. "He has been a proven winner in every step of his coaching journey and I am confident that he will continue that tradition here at UIC. He is eager to hit the ground running and elevate the volleyball program to the next level."

"First, I would like to thank Athletic Director Jim Schmidt for this incredible opportunity to be the next head volleyball coach at UIC," said Ingram. "Being able to live and work in one of the greatest cities in the world is beyond exciting. From the minute I met with Jim and Executive Associate Athletic Director Richard Grinage, I could see their vision for the program and wanted to be a part of it. High schools and clubs in Chicagoland produce some of the best volleyball players in the country and I'm looking forward to getting started."

Ingram, a 1995 graduate of Iowa State, most recently served as the head coach of the Southern Illinois Salukis for the past five seasons. He helped SIU win at least 20 matches in four of his five seasons in Carbondale, culminating with an at-large NCAA Tournament bid in 2015, the first in program history.

Overall, Ingram accumulated 101 victories in five seasons at the helm for SIU, including 60 in Missouri Valley Conference play. He became the fastest coach in program history to reach 100 wins and was named the MVC Coach of the Year in 2015, a season in which the Salukis took down nationally-ranked foes Dayton, Wichita State and Missouri State, while climbing to as high as No. 39 in the RPI rankings.

The Milwaukee, Wis., native tutored nine First Team All-Conference players over the past five seasons and the first American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American in SIU history, Taylor Pippen.

Prior to his stint in Carbondale, Ingram was the head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves from 2009-11. He led ASU to an overall record of 60-33 in two seasons and was named the 2011 Sun Belt Coach of the Year. In three seasons, seven Red Wolves earned All-Sun Belt recognition.

From 2001-08, Ingram was the recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator for the Kansas State Wildcats. During his tenure in Manhattan, Ingram was a part of seven 20-win seasons, seven NCAA Tournament appearances and 171 total victories. He mentored eight All-America selections and 22 All-Big XII players, including four Big XII Liberos of the Year and the 2003 Big XII Player of the Year, Lauren Goehring.

Ingram's coaching career began at the University of Houston in 1998. The Cougars made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and won 42 matches in his two seasons in H-Town.

Ingram earned his bachelor's degree in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University in 1995 and a master's degree in City Planning from Cal Poly in 1998.