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HEAD COACH
Tim Eatman
Turning around a program is never an easy task. But, if the early returns are any indication, Tim Eatman will have UIC competitive in no time. Despite struggling to a 5-22 record in his first season with the Flames, Eatman was able to land a recruiting class for the 1999-2000 season that has been rated as high as No. 20 in the nation.
Recognized as one of the top young coaches and recruiters in women's basketball, Eatman embarks on his second season at UIC with an outstanding recruiting class that features eight new faces. He has been instrumental in bringing about the Home Run Inn Thanksgiving Tournament, the first regular-season women's basketball tournament hosted on this campus since 1987-88.
Prior to accepting the post at UIC, Eatman was an assistant coach at the University of Kansas on Marian Washington's staff. While at KU, Eatman was responsible for the recruiting functions of the program and helped bring the No. 6 rated class in the nation in both 1997 and 1998 to Lawrence, Kan. During his brief stay at Kansas, the Jayhawks won their first Big XII Championship, compiled a 48-15 record, advanced to the Sweet 16 in 1998 and produced Kodak All-American Temeka Dixon.
Eatman gained most of his recognition as an assistant at the University of Iowa under coach C. Vivian Stringer. It was at Iowa that he landed the top-rated recruiting class of 1994 that featured All-Americans Malikah Willis, Tiffany Gooden, Nadine Domond, Angela Hamblin, Shannon Perry, Timicha Kirby and 1998 Big Ten Player of the Year, Tangela Smith. While at Iowa, Eatman was hailed by Lindy's Magazine as the "top young recruiter in women's basketball."
Before heading to Iowa, Eatman served as an assistant coach for the University of Houston during the 1992-93 season. While at UH, the Cougars' 1992 class was rated No. 4 in the country. He also served as an assistant coach at Mississippi State.
A 1988 graduate of Talladega College (Ala.), Eatman earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry.before receiving his master's degree in counseling from Jacksonville State.
Eatman joined the coaching ranks in 1988 as the head women's coach at his alma mater, Talladega, following a successful playing career there. He instantly turned around the program, posting a 16-13 record in his inaugural campaign. The season prior to his appointment, Talladega was 0-26. In 1989-90, Eatman guided the team to a 20-9 ledger.
Eatman and his wife Crystal have one son, Tyler.
ASSISTANT COACH
Larry McNealLarry McNeal is one of two new faces on the UIC coaching staff. McNeal, who has a wealth of coaching experience, most recently was the head coach at Talladega College in Alabama. At UIC, he will work with the Flames' point guards while also juggling responsibilities such as recruiting, scouting and academics. He will also closely monitor the strength and conditioning program and will supervise the team's managers.
As the head women's basketball coach at Talladega from 1995-99, McNeal compiled a 63-63 record. He also worked at Talladega from 1987-94 in a multitude of roles including assistant women's basketball coach, director of student activities, director of intramural athletics, cross country and track coach and associate head baseball coach. Prior to assuming the post of head basketball coach, McNeal spent the 1994-95 campaign as an assistant at Northeastern Illinois where he coordinated strength and conditioning, training camp and community relation efforts. At Northeastern, he worked with then-Eagles head coach and former Utah Starzz coach, Denise Taylor.
McNeal, who graduated from Talladega in 1990 with a degree in English/Journalism, assumed the roles of assistant women's basketball and associate head baseball coach while still working towards his undergraduate degree.
ASSISTANT COACH
Misty OpatMisty Opat is entering her first season as an assistant coach at UIC after serving as an assistant at Fresno State last year. Opat will coordinate scouting efforts while assisting with recruiting and academics. She will also work with the Flames' post players.
While at Fresno State, Opat worked with the post players and was also the recruiting coordinator. Prior to her brief stint at FSU, Opat spent three years as an assistant coach at the University of Kansas from 1995-98. At KU, she helped the Jayhawks to a pair of NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and three final national rankings. Opat wore many hats at Kansas, with duties ranging from camps and promotions to travel and recruiting. One of her fellow assistants from 1996-98 was current UIC head coach Tim Eatman.
Opat has extensive duty coaching at numerous camps and served as an assistant coach at both Bethany College and Garden City Community College.
An NAIA All-American at Bethany Collge, Opat earned her bachelor's degree in recreation in 1993. In 1995, she was awarded a master's degree in sports administration from Fort Hays State. Opat was a standout player at Garden City Community College as well, twice earning all-region honors.
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ASSISTANT COACH
LaTonya TateEntering her second season as an assistant is LaTonya Tate. A former standout at the University of Iowa, she is beginning her fourth season as a coach in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.
Prior to arriving at UIC, Tate spent two seasons at the University of Detroit Mercy as an assistant coach. Her primary responsibilities with the Flames will include recruiting, scouting, academics and working with the wing players. Last season, Tate helped develop Holly Tamm into a First-Team All-MCC performer.
While at Detroit, Tate handled recruiting and academics in addition to her on-court duties. She helped guide the Titans to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1996-97 and the Midwestern Collegiate Conference title that year as well.
Tate got her first experience in the coaching ranks as an assistant at Kansas State in 1995-96. While at KSU, Tate was responsible for equipment, film exchange and travel arrangements.
A 1992 graduate of the Iowa with a degree in leisure studies, Tate was a member of the Hawkeye squads that captured three Big Ten titles and made four NCAA appearances.
© University of Illinois at Chicago, 1997, Sports Information Office
Created by Kelly Neubauer
Maintained and Updated by Kelly Neubauer
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