Igor Vrzina heads into his first season as an assistant coach with Maine men’s basketball in 2018-19. Vrzina previously served as the head boy’s basketball coach at Lee Academy in Lee, Maine.
In four seasons at the helm of the Pandas, Vrzina put together an impressive record of 98-51.
“Igor is an accomplished player and coach who brought many talented players to the state of Maine during his tenure at Lee Academy - some of whom wear a Black Bear uniform today,” said Barron.
“Igor has tremendous recruiting ties throughout New England from his prep school experience, as well as internationally. Igor will work primarily with our posts while assisting with scouting and game planning. He has a great feel for our program and will articulate well the opportunities UMaine offers. He and his family loved living in Maine and are excited to return.”
Vrzina reunites with several of his former players in Miks Antoms, Sergio El Darwich, Nedeljko Prijovic, Ilija Stojiljkovic, and Lewis Wang who all attended Lee Academy before coming to UMaine.
Before coming to the Pine Tree State, he served as an assistant coach for BC Grifoni in Ukraine 2010 to 2011 and as an administrative assistant for the Illinois State University men’s basketball team from 2008 to 2010.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Coach Barron and the UMaine men’s basketball program,” said Vrzina. “After several years of coaching at Lee Academy Prep, I am excited to be back in Maine. I have built relationships nationally and internationally and I am hoping to help build a successful team.”
He was a student-athlete at Hill College and the University of Idaho before landing at Abilene Christian University. He was team captain for the Wildcats in his lone season in Texas.
Vrzina holds a bachelor of science degree from Abilene Christian University in international studies.
