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Men's Basketball
Harrington Joins Illinois Staff
July 24, 2008
Champaign, Ill. - Head coach Bruce Weber announced today that former Fighting Illini shooting guard Sean Harrington has joined the Illinois basketball staff, serving in the visiting academic position of basketball operations. "We are pleased to have Sean join our staff," Weber said. "I enjoyed watching him in college, he was a very smart, team-first player who could shoot the lights out of the ball. He's been around basketball his entire life, growing up as the son of a coach and playing for his father, Jim, who was one of the great coaches in Illinois high school basketball history. Sean has gained great experience in this business over the last five years. That experience, coupled with his passion for the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Basketball, will make him a valuable addition to our program." Harrington returns to Champaign-Urbana after serving as the Director of Basketball Operations at St. Louis University last season. Prior to his time with the Billikens, Harrington spent three years at Northern Illinois University from 2005-07, one as an assistant coach and two as director of basketball operations. He began his coaching career at the University of Kansas in 2004 as an administrative assistant/video coordinator. Harrington was a four-year Varsity "I" letterwinner from 2000-03. A Bartlett native and product of Elgin High School where he played for his father, Jim, Harrington led the Illini in 3-point field goal percentage all four seasons, ranking first in the Big Ten as a sophomore and senior. He totaled 750 points and 222 assists while with the Orange and Blue and remains fifth in school history in career 3-point field goal shooting at 42.8 percent and sixth in career 3-pointers with 191 treys. He also ranks seventh in wins, playing in 99 victories during his tenure that saw the Illini advance to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2001, the Sweet Sixteen in 2002 and the Second Round in 2000 and 2003. Harrington served as team tri-captain during his senior year along with Brian Cook and current Illini assistant coach Jerrance Howard. "I am so excited to be coming back home to Illinois," Harrington said. "Playing for my state school was the thrill of a lifetime and now I have the opportunity to return to the Illini basketball family. I've followed all the success the program has continued to have since I graduated. I'm looking forward to working with Coach Weber and learning from one of the best coaches in college basketball, and also seeing all that orange in the Assembly Hall once again." A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Harrington earned a bachelor's degree in advertising in 2003. He is married to the former Christine Hoffer, who also is a UI graduate. THE HARRINGTON FILE
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