Kirkorsky makes a move to Rolling Meadows

Ryan Kirkorsky certainly knows a little about the players he will be coaching this winter in his new job as the Rolling Meadows girls basketball coach.

The former Elk Grove coach has faced the Mustangs and their three all-area standouts for the past two years.

With former Meadows coach Todd Hatfield stepping down last month to pursue a new teaching degree, Kirkorsky will take over the reins of the defending Mid-Suburban League champs.

“Ryan is a coach that can lead our team to the next level,” said Rolling Meadows assistant principal Lisa DaRocha. “He brings a great deal of experience and excitement that will translate into positive results for our program.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Ryan’s caliber here at Rolling Meadows.”

The Mustangs posted a program-best 25-5 record last winter.

Sophomore guard Jackie Kemph was the MSL East Player of the Year and teammates Alexis Glasgow and Jenny Vliet were also all-area selections.

“I’ve watched plenty of tape on them (over the past two seasons),” said Kirkorsky, who went 1-3 against Meadows the last two years. “Obviously, I have the utmost respect for Todd and what he has accomplished here.

“They obviously have some talented kids here and I’m excited to work with them.”

At Elk Grove, Kirkorsky coached all-area junior forward Diamond Boyd.

“The hardest part was on Tuesday telling my returning players at Elk Grove, especially Diamond and Kelly Naughton, who have been with me three years,” Kirkorsky said.

“I really appreciate the opportunity Elk Grove gave me to be its head coach. This was not an easy decision to come to, but professionally it was a step I had to take.”

Kirkorsky said he could not pass up the opportunity to be an English teacher and the head coach at Rolling Meadows.

A University of Illinois and Buffalo Grove High School graduate, Kirkorsky has taught in the English department at Elk Grove for the past 12 years.

He also served as an assistant in the Grenadiers girls basketball program before taking over the head job four years ago. He has a career record of 62-51 with a regional championship and 22-7 record in 2010.

“It’s not the greatest timing but I feel Elk Grove is in great shape and they will be very successful, too,” Kirkorsky said. “This was just a good fit for me, professionally, in both areas. It was something I needed to pursue.”