One of the most successful high school coaches in the state is making the jump to college basketball.
Nick Irvin, who won four Class 3A state basketball titles at Morgan Park over the past 12 seasons, has joined Rob Jeter’s new staff at Western Illinois.
“Nick is a winner,” Jeter said in a statement.”He’s an energetic, successful head coach who has proven to develop high-level student-athletes. I have a ton of respect for Nick and the Irvin family. For such a big city, the Chicago basketball community is tight-knit, and the Irvins have strong ties. Coming back to Chicago and giving one of our own an opportunity was a priority for me, and I’m excited to have Nick join us at Western.”
Irvin’s brother Lance is the head coach at Chicago State and his sister-in-law Corry Irvin is the women’s coach at St. Xavier.
Irvin was 301-70 at Morgan Park and won at least 20 games in all 12 seasons. He coached two Sun-Times’ Players of the Year: Charlie Moore (2016) and Wayne Blackshear (2011).
Irvin resigned from his security job at the high school earlier this year, fueling speculation that he would take a different high school job in the 2020-21 season. Then the opportunity arrived at Western Illinois.
“This is a bittersweet day for all of us,” Morgan Park Athletic Director Michael Berger said in a statement. “[Irvin] will be greatly missed around the halls of Morgan Park high school with his positive attitude, the great way he connects with people, how hard he works, and his infectious laugh.”
Irvin’s success with the Mustangs took their local rivalry with Simeon, the established powerhouse, to a new level.
“Everyone wants to see this game,” Irvin said in 2010. “We beat them last time. We run Vincennes. That’s the way it’s going to be. We are coming after them.”
That led to Simeon vs. Morgan Park being dubbed The Battle of Vincennes. It developed into the area’s most spirited rivalry.
Irvin joins Chad Boudreau and Kyle Heikkinen on Jeter’s staff at Western.
“When putting together a staff, I had a few key things in mind,” Jeter said. “I wanted an experienced staff with head coaching experience, high-character and high-energy coaches with a passion for recruiting and development, and a group who would work well together. I believe I’ve accomplished each of those things with these hires.”
The Morgan Park job is one of several high-profile openings in the area. Reggie Bates recently stepped down at Hyde Park and there are vacancies at Oak Park, St. Viator and Lincoln Park.
