It's time: Theberge resigns at Palatine

Ron Theberge, who was 105-104 in seven seasons as the Palatine girls basketball coach, has resigned from his position.

"The time is right," said Theberge, who directed the Pirates to their first conference title in 20 years when they won the Mid-Suburban West in 2005.

"When I replaced Mark Frailey in 2001, I thought he had taken the program from Point A to point B. I think I've taken it from Point B to Point C.

"I think the program is in good shape and that the next coach can really do some quality things. I wish them nothing but the best."

Theberge would not rule out coaching at Palatine as an assistant.

He was the head boys cross country coach at Palatine before taking over girls basketball. The 1993 boys cross country team placed second in the state.

"It was a tough decision to give up boys country at Palatine," he said. "But I wanted to try and start a little tradition in girls basketball. Palatine always had a tradition in long distance running, but I'm not so sure that tradition was really there in girls basketball."

Theberge made the Pirates a tough competitor each season with the trademark of solid defense.

"I really felt Palatine needed an identity when I took the job," he said. "And I wanted to do that with defense. The girls really bought into it, and I think if you ask former players, they'll tell you we took pride in trying to hold teams under 40 points.

Theberge's 2005 and 2006 teams set back-to-back school records with 21 wins. His 2006 club won the school's first regional title in 20 years despite losing standout Nicole Pauly to a knee injury midway through the season.

"And we still won the regional that year, which really showed the character of those girls and that team," Theberge said.

Theberge is grateful he was able to coach quality athletes.

"I think anything we did was a credit to our girls playing other sports," he said. "We had kids who went on to play different sports in colleges like Karlee Quaritsch to Augustana softball, Nicole Pauly to Northwestern softball, Katlin Millin to Marquette track and field and Amy Mitchell to Illinois State softball. I always liked promoting our girls to play others sports ."

Theberge has been a longtime driver's education teacher at Palatine.

"I have no regrets," Theberge said about his seven seasons, which ties former coach Teri Merickel (1985 conference champs) as the longest stint in the program history. "It's just time for me to step aside. I felt I was fair and consistent. I demanded a lot of my girls and myself. I thought we were competitive."

Theberge tried to improve his team's strength of schedule.

"We got into the Sweet 16 tourney and I thought it helped give the girls an opportunity to get better," he said. "I wanted people to change the way they thought about Palatine girls basketball.

"Jerry Dobbs (Palatine athletic director) gave me the opportunity for this job seven years ago, and I am extremely grateful for it. I'm not the kind if guy who can just leave the building at 3:30 p.m. every day. Hopefully, I can help someone else in the future."

Hatfield's in at RM:ŒTodd Hatfield, a media technician at Rolling Meadows High School, has been named the school's girls basketball head coach.

Hatfield replaces Patrick O'Connell, who resigned the two weeks ago to devote more time to his family.

Hatfield has served as the freshman "A" boys basketball coach for the past five seasons.

"Todd is young and real energetic," said Lisa DeRocha, the school's assistant principal for athletics. "I think he is going to do real well for the program."