Born in Evansville, Indiana, Lowery was a standout player for the Evansville Harrison Warriors, bridging the "Calbert Cheaney-era" to the "Walter McCarty-era," Lowery played at Southern Illinois for legendary Rich Herrin from 1990 to 1994 and later became an assistant coach, eventually serving under Bruce Weber at Southern Illinois and moving with him to Illinois after the 2002–03 season. On April 9, 2004, Lowery was named the head coach of Southern Illinois men's basketball team after Matt Painter left to become an associate head coach/head coach designate to Gene Keady at Purdue University.
On April 2, 2007, Lowery signed a seven-year contract extension.[1] worth $750,000 annually. On March 10, 2011, Lowery received a vote of confidence from athletic director Mario Moccia at a joint press conference, despite Southern Illinois suffering its third season with a .500 record or below and growing pressure from fans and alumni to fire Lowery.[2]
Lowery and the Salukis continued their losing ways in the 2011–12 season, posting a career-low 8–23 overall record with a 5–13 mark in conference play. Lowery was fired the following morning.[3]
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
Conference regular season champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion
Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion