SXU Hires Whitney Young Coach To Replace Bob Hallberg

CHICAGO — Someone other than Bob Hallberg holds the title of women's basketball coach at Saint Xavier University for the first time since the program was reborn in 2000. Corry Irvin comes to the Southwest Side NAIA school after a stellar 18-year run at the helm of the Whitney Young High School program.

Irvin went 449-77 at Whitney Young, turning the Dolphins into a powerhouse with IHSA state championships in 2008, 2012 and 2014. Before her time at Whitney Young, she was an assistant for two years under Doug Bruno at DePaul University.

Next, Irvin will replace a legend in Hallberg at SXU.

The Cougars won 23 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and reached the NAIA Fab Four twice during Hallberg's 19 seasons leading the team. The Chicago basketball legend who previously led successful men's teams at Kennedy High School, SXU, Chicago State and UIC announced in February that he will retire as both women's basketball head coach and athletic director at the end of the school year. RELATED ON PATCH: SXU Legend Bob Hallberg To Retire

Irvin's record and longevity at Whitney Young show both a winning mindset already in place and connections in the Chicago women's basketball community.

"I am excited to build upon our standard of excellence while continuing to develop strong, compassionate female student-athletes who represent the values of Saint Xavier University," Irvin said, calling SXU a "tremendous university" that's already seen a history of success in its women's basketball program.

SXU sports information said Wednesday that the search is still on for Hallberg's replacement in the athletic director role.