Chicago State hires Lance Irvin as head coach

The final Division I men’s head coaching vacancy was filled on Tuesday as new Chicago State AD Chris Zorich named Lance Irvin as the Cougars’ new coach. Lance Irvin is the son of Mac Irvin, founder of one of the most prominent AAU programs in the country and referred to by the Chicago Tribune as the “godfather of Chicago basketball.”

Zorich, a Chicago native who played football at Notre Dame and with the Chicago Bears, took over the AD position in May. He replaced Tracy Dildy, the former head basketball coach who had also been serving as the school’s AD.

The Chicago State men’s and women’s basketball head coach vacancies were announced on the same day back in March and were both filled on Tuesday roughly five months later. Misty Opat was tapped to take over the women’s team.