Southern Illinois University men’s basketball head coach Barry Hinson said he knew when the final buzzer went off in the Salukis’ Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament quarterfinal matchup against University of Northern Iowa March 8, he knew it would be his last game at the helm.
Last season, Hinson said he made a pact with the Southern Illinois chancellor that if the team didn’t make the NCAA Tournament or the National Invitation Tournament, he’d step down from his position as head coach.
In an emotional press conference after Southern Illinois’ season-ending loss in the Arch Madness quarterfinals, Hinson announced he wouldn’t return to lead the Salukis next season.