Lance Irvin Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 16th year Alma Mater: Idaho, 1992

Updated October 15, 2008

Lance Irvin has worked with many big names and high-profile programs in college basketball -- Joey Meyer (DePaul, 1992-97), Larry Farmer (Loyola-Chicago, 1998-01), Larry Eustachy (Iowa State, 2001-02), Tom Richardson (Illinois State, 2002-03), Melvin Watkins (Texas A&M, 2003-04), Quin Snyder (Missouri, 2005-06) and Matt Doherty (SMU, 2006-08).

Lowery said he was looking for an assistant with proven recruiting skills. At Iowa State, Irvin helped Eustachy and the Cyclones land a top-five rated recruiting class.

"He's recruited nationally in a lot of different circles, and he has a good grasp of the Chicago scene, which is obviously very important for us," Lowery said.

SIU recently signed two players -- Kevin Dillard and Ryan Hare -- from the Chicago area, and the city is loaded with up-and-coming talent, according to Lowery. Irvin said he doesn't want to be known as just a recruiter, though.

"I've work hard not to be labeled as a guy who just recruits," he said. "I can coach, too. I bring a little bit of everything to the table. I think I relate well to players. I try to be well-rounded."

Irvin started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Idaho in 1991-92. Along the way, he has helped several players reach the NBA, including Jackson Vroman (Iowa State), Paul McPherson (DePaul), and Antoine Wright and Acie Law (Texas A&M).

As a player, Irvin was an all-city, all-area and all-state selection and an honorable mention All-American as a senior at Chicago's Julian High School in 1987. Irvin played basketball at Colorado State before transferring to Idaho, where he played for Eustachy. Irvin received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Idaho in 1992.

He comes from a basketball family. His brother, Byron, played college basketball at Missouri, after which he was selected in the 1989 NBA Draft with the 23rd pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. His father runs one of the premier AAU teams in Illinois -- the Mac Irvin Fire.