Murray takes over as coach at Lisle

After 10 years at Immaculate Conception, Dan Murray felt the need for a new challenge.

He didn't have to look far.

Murray confirmed his hiring this week as the new girls basketball coach at Lisle.

"Playing at their tournament I've always been impressed. They run a first-class tournament," Murray said. "Even when they didn't have their strongest years they always played hard. They kind of reminded me of my teams at IC, what I hoped for my teams."

Lisle enjoyed one of the biggest turnarounds in the area last year, going 21-8 and tying Westmont for first place in the Interstate Eight Conference. The Lions advanced to a regional final, where they lost to Westmont.

"I want to continue to build on their program's success," Murray said, "and try to take it to the next level."

In his final season at IC, Murray's Knights set a program record by going 29-4 and advancing to a Class 2A sectional final. IC won the Lisle Holiday Tournament for the first time.

Murray compiled a 162-123 record in 10 seasons at IC, winning four regional championships.

"The 10 years I've had at IC I've really loved," Murray said. "I loved the administration, and coach (Darren) Howard was a fantastic AD to work with. The kids who went through there, the parents we represented - I really enjoyed my time there. I was looking for a new challenge, and this opportunity presented itself."

Murray stepped down as coach at IC May 7. The following Tuesday the school announced the hiring of Aubree Lawrence as new head coach.

Lawrence spent last season as freshman coach at St. Charles East after moving to Illinois. Lawrence was the head coach at Winston Churchill High School in Maryland for three years and also at Freedom High School in Virginia for three years prior to that. She was a standout basketball player at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania.