March 03, 2010

Pilz Resigns as UMSL Head Men’s Basketball Coach

ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis Director of Athletics Lori Flanagan announced today that Chris Pilz has resigned as head men’s basketball coach.

Pilz, who recently completed his seventh year with the program, amassed a career record of 77-114. The Tritons finished the 2009-10 season with a 12-16 record, including a 6-12 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. UMSL began the season 6-0, marking the first time in program history that feat was accomplished.

"We want to thank Chris for all his contributions to the University of Missouri-St. Louis athletics throughout his career as a both a student-athlete and a coach, and we wish him and his family well in all their future endeavors," Flanagan said. "Chris served his student-athletes and this university with class and dignity.”

During the 2008-09 season, Pilz directed UMSL to a 14-13 mark, it’s first winning season since the 2005-06 campaign, in which he also coached the program to a 14-13 record.

Pilz returned to his alma mater on August 18, 2003, following a successful six-year stint at Hazelwood Central (Mo.) High School, where he posted a 107-55 record.

“I would like to thank all my current and former student-athletes for their many contributions to this program and my staff for their loyalty, effort, attitude and commitment to excellence. With them I was able to gain invaluable coaching experience in the toughest Division II basketball conference in America,” said Pilz. “I was excited about coming to work everyday and it was a privilege to work along side some wonderful people in the athletic office and across campus. I wish the University and our entire athletic department good luck as they move forward.”

A former All-American and the program’s third all-time leading scorer (1,673 points), Pilz helped guide UMSL to its last NCAA Tournament appearance as a freshman during the 1987-88 season. He is also the school’s all-time steals leader, holding school records for most steals in a game (eight), most steals in a season (86) and most steals in a career (233). Pilz was the MIAA Newcomer of the Year in 1988 and earned all-conference accolades three times.

A search for a new head men’s basketball coach will begin immediately.