McGahan opts out at Warren

Carri McGahan has been a member of Warren’s softball family for more than a decade, dating back to her playing days for the Blue Devils, when she was known as Carri Nichols.

Now, Warren’s head softball coach is ready to start her own family.

Saying it’s time to start her “next phase,” McGahan has submitted her resignation, which was accepted by Warren’s school board Tuesday night.

She is 18 weeks pregnant with her first child and due in October. She and her husband, Jason, will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary this summer. McGahan will continue teaching AP psychology and sociology at Warren.

“It is a tough decision because (softball) has been my whole life ever since I was like 7 years old,” said McGahan, who coached the Blue Devils to a school-record 28 wins two years ago. “But it’s time to take the next phase of the life. It’s hard for female coaches. There’s not many (softball coaches), even in our conference, that are moms.”

McGahan played softball at Warren under head coach Tim Van Heirseele — “T-Van,” as she calls him — graduating in 2001. She took over as head coach of her old team in 2007 and has helped build one of the best programs in Lake County. The Blue Devils (27-4-1, 10-1 North Suburban Lake Division) have surpassed the 20-win mark in each of the last three seasons. In McGahan’s six seasons, Warren is 126-77-1.

Following a 16-18 campaign in her first season, Warren has posted win totals of 18, 16, 28, 21 and 27 (and counting) this season.

“We’ve worked really hard,” McGahan said.

This season’s Warren squad, which McGahan calls “a great group of girls,” has made her decision to step down especially difficult.

“We’re trying to end on a good note,” McGahan said. “That’s where we’re at right now.”