New Lake County ADs: Head to head

Their first names are remarkably similar, but the two athletic directors in Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 are as different as, well, Libertyville and Vernon Hills.

Briant Kelly took over the Libertyville High sports program this past fall, replacing longtime athletic director Tim Albers.

At Vernon Hills High, Brian McDonald filled the post held by Al Janulis since the school opened in 1999.

Both Albers and Janulis retired at the end of the 2006-07 school year.

In true sports fashion, we thought a head-to-head comparison could help students, parents and prep sports fans learn about Kelly and McDonald, and their backgrounds as they head toward the end of their first year in the district.

• Name: Briant Kelly

• School: Libertyville High

• Age: 34

• Home: Libertyville

• Education: Driscoll Catholic High School, Addison (1991); undergraduate and graduate degrees from University of Illinois, Barat College and Northern Illinois University

• Personal prep sports experience: Cross country, track, basketball

• Favorite sports: Basketball, track and football. "These sports are fast paced, there is always action and the athletes are in great shape."

• All-time favorite athlete: Legendary Chicago Bear running back Walter Payton. "Walter was an exciting athlete to watch. Even during the lean years of the Chicago Bears, he always had a great attitude and work ethic."

• A word about his counterpart: "Brian McDonald may be taller than me, but I can probably beat him one-on-one in basketball."

• Final thoughts about the new job: "Libertyville High School has been successful in athletics due to the great dedication and support of the students, faculty, staff, parents and community. I hope that I can help continue and build upon that great tradition. Go Wildcats!"

• Name: Brian McDonald

• School: Vernon Hills High

• Age: 38

• Home: Arlington Heights

• Education: Libertyville High School (1987); undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University

• Personal prep sports experience: Baseball, soccer, basketball

• Favorite sport: Basketball. "(I) just love to play."

• All-time favorite athlete: Former Utah Jazz guard John Stockton. "He played hard, played tough and did it right. … I like all of them who do the right things and play their game the way it is supposed to be played."

• A word about his counterpart: "There's no way he could take me in hoops. He wouldn't be able to stop me inside."

• Final thoughts about the new job: "It's awesome. We've got great kids, a great coaching staff, a great community, great facilities and a super-supportive administration."