Horan steps down at St. Charles East

Conant handed the St. Charles East softball team a 4-1 loss Monday in the Class 4A Conant regional championship game, ending the Saints' season at 29-5.

It turns out that also was the final game for St. Charles East coach Kelly Horan, who told her team Wednesday afternoon that she is resigning as Saints coach after 7 seasons.

Horan said she wants to spend more time with her family and also teaching, though leaving comes with mixed emotions.

"My mantra since I took over has always been - family first, followed by school/work, then softball," Horan said. "I'm just at a point where the top two have taken up too much room on my plate. I am super sad but I know it is the best decision for my family and I."

Horan has two small children, Brady, 3, and Emma, 10 months.

St. Charles East had a very successful run under Horan, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 2013 Class 4A state tournament.

The Saints followed that by winning the Upstate Eight Conference River Division the past two years, ending St. Charles North's grip on the conference.

"I will start by saying that coaching at St. Charles East is the best job ever," Horan said. "I was so lucky that (former athletic director) Jerry Krieg gave a young kid an opportunity. I started my career with great families who were so helpful - Carrignans, Ruttigers, Edwards, Neimiecs, and the Driessiens. Those people treated me with so much respect and were just great St. Charles people. They wanted the best and helped me get this program turned around."

Horan said her only regret is they never named the press box after Joe Driessien.

"A lot of families helped get that built but we all know it was Joe's work with John Braird that got it done," Horan said.

Horan compiled a 174-74-3 record with 2 regional championships. She was named Illinois Coaching Association Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2013.

The Saints won 20 or more games in all but one of her seasons.

"If I think about the current status of the program - I can't say enough about how supportive Mike Sommerfeld and Charlie Kyle are," Horan said. "They are the best in the business. I have the best coaching staff around - they have given me nothing less than 100 percent and are now my best friends. My athletes now and their families are top notch. They have done everything I have asked for and more. They get it. They trusted me with their kids and I'll miss those relationships the most. The next person who comes in has got a ton of built-in support with those parents.

"I will be Saints softball's biggest fan, but will respectfully give the next head coach the space to make the program their own."