UIC Head Men's Soccer Coach Sasha Begovic Resigns After 15 Seasons

Nov. 29, 2004

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago Director of Athletics Jim Schmidt announced on Wednesday afternoon that Sasha Begovic has resigned as the Flames' head men's soccer coach.

A national search for a replacement will begin immediately.

"I am grateful for everything Sasha did for UIC and the men's soccer program during his tenure," Schmidt said. "He took us to our first two postseason appearances and helped make the Flames a recognizable name in the local and national soccer community."

Begovic, who served for 15 seasons as head coach at UIC, posted an overall record of 136-133-15 at UIC, making him the program's winningest coach. He was 47-56-6 all-time in league contests, including a pair of conference regular-season and tournament titles in 1999 and 2000. Begovic earned Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year accolades in 1999.

He guided the Flames to their first two NCAA College Cup appearances in school history (1999, 2000) with UIC advancing to the 'Sweet 16' and finishing the year ranked No. 21 in the country in 2000.

Begovic endured one of his most trying campaigns in 2004 as the Flames posted a record of 5-11-2 and finished fifth in the Horizon League with a 3-3-1 mark.

The five wins was UIC's fewest since a four-win season in 1995 while its fifth-place league finish was its lowest since a last-place standing in 1996. The Flames were also eliminated in the Horizon League Tournament quarterfinals for the second straight year, dropping a 2-1 decision at Wright State.

The Flames boast a talented group of returnees in 2005, including reigning Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Pavle Dundjer.

Story courtesy of UIC Sports Information