Test Keeps UCI’s McIlwain Off of the Recruiting Trail

UC Irvine men’s basketball assistant coach Mike McIlwain, hired June 5 to replace chief recruiter Greg Vetrone, recently failed a required NCAA rules test and is unable to actively recruit for the Anteaters.

He will be able to take the examination again in about two weeks, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said.

McIlwain has been a longtime coach of AAU teams at Riverside (N.Y.) Church--he was the former coach of Anteater forward Kevin Simmons, Big West freshman of the year last season--and is unfamiliar with NCAA regulations.

“When we hired Mike, we basically gave him a crash course and had him take the test immediately in order to ascertain whether or not he could hit the recruiting trail for us,” Guerrero said. “He didn’t have the advantage of having been at a collegiate institution and he did not pass it the first time.

“But we’re not concerned. He’ll pass the next test and then it won’t be an issue.”