Chicago, IL (Best E Casino) - The University of Illinois at Chicago signed head men's basketball coach Jimmy Collins to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday.

The deal is pending approval by the board of trustees.

"I have been truly blessed to spend the last 12 years doing what I love here at UIC," Collins said. "It is a great university with great administrators, faculty and students, who have all helped me, and this basketball program, become successful."

Collins, who is the longest tenured NCAA Division I men's basketball coach in the state, took the job in March 1996. He has guided UIC to three NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 2002, 2004) and one NIT bid (2003) while topping the 20-win plateau on four occasions, including a school-record 24 victories in 2003-04. Collins owns a career record of 194-171.