Report: Lowery out as SIU Basketball Coach

There was plenty of speculation SIU head basketball coach Chris Lowery would be not return for his ninth season and according to multiple reports today Lowery is out as head coach.

Athletics Director Mario Moccia is on record saying he will not wait long to make a decision on coach Lowery's future with the team once the season ends.

It ended with a 65-51 loss last night to Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Lowery, a former Saluki player and assistant coach finished eight seasons at SIU with a overall record of 145-116.

As head coach he lead the Salukis to three NCAA Tournament appearances including a run to the Sweet 16 and one trip to the NIT..but the program has declined of late with four consecutive losing seasons.

According to SIU Media Services Assistant Athletics Director Tom Weber a press conference is scheduled for 3:30 pm. 

2001 MVC Tournament Info (Men)

Saturday night the Southern Illinois Salukis wrapped up a disappointing (12-18, 5-13 MVC) season with a fifteen point loss at Indiana State.

Coach Lowery leads his eight seeded team into the Valley Tournament to face ninth seeded Illinois State.
The Salukis and ISU split during the regular season (home team winning). Game time is set for Thursday at 6:05 pm at the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis. Winner moves on to play top seeded Missouri State (27-3, 15-3 MVC).

Unless the Salukis go on a serious win streak (8 games) they will end the year with a fourth consecutive sub 20 win season and third straight without advancing to a post season tournament (NCAA, NIT, CBI, etc).

2007-08 Saluiks finished 18-15 (NIT 2nd round)
2008-09 Salukis finished 13-18 (no post season tournament)
2009-10 Salukis finished 15-15 (no post season tournament)

The last time the program failed in back-to-back-to-back seasons to reach a post season tournament was over a decade ago (1998 - 2000).  That was the tail end of a six season drought (1995-2000).

You would have had to have walked through this past season with earplugs and blinders on to not be aware of the frustration brewing amongst SIU faithful. I have answered a lot questions concerning Coach Lowery and his future with the school. I was told has three years left on his contract and the buyout is the remainder of the deal.

Unless there is an agreement on a buyout don't expect him to be removed as head coach...It would be too expensive. However I I don't believe that is a serious option.

I would expect Coach Lowery to be back next season, but if things do not improve...All bets are off.

2011 MVC Tournament (Men)

Lowery and DePaul?

Could Southern Illinois University soon be in the market for a new men's head basketball coach?Reports surfaced this week suggesting SIU coach Chris Lowery could be a favorite to head north and fill the vacant spot at DePaul.

Jerry Wainright was fired earlier this week as the Blue Demons head coach. In five seasons he posted a 186-145 record.

Lowery heading to DePaul... by no means is anything official... following Wednesday's loss to Creighton coach Lowery told the Southern he had not been contacted by anyone at DePaul and Southern Illinois Athletic Director Mario Moccia tells me he has not been contacted either.

Since taking the Salukis to the Sweet 16 in 2007 Lowery's teams have posted a combined record of just 40-39.

Salukis face Evansville Saturday night... hoping to end a four game skid. They have not lost five consecutive since 1997.