Dundee-Crown names Russell girls hoops coach

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Recently retired Dundee-Crown girls basketball coach Joe Komaromy called the hiring of his successor Michelle Russell a "no-brainer" on Tuesday after the former standout was picked to begin the next era of hoops at the school.

Russell, still the program's all-time leading scorer, has been D-C's sophomore or freshman coach the past eight seasons under Komaromy -- the only coach the program has known since 1983 when Dundee and Irving Crown merged.

Russell shined for the Chargers from 1987-91, piling up 1,735 points on the hardwood. She was the 1991 Courier News Player of the Year following a senior campaign that saw her average 26.7 points per game, including a school-record 45-point outburst and 11 games of 30-plus points.

Russell went on to play for Valparaiso University and Purdue-Calumet on a basketball scholarship, before returning to the area to pursue a profession in teaching -- and eventually coaching.

"It's nice to have someone from our program who has been with us for so many years become the next coach," said Komaromy, who stepped down with a career record of 450-268 in 25 seasons at the school. "To me, it's a no-brainer. There's no doubt she knows her X's and O's as a coach, but she has so many great attributes. One of her best qualities is she is a very caring person and I know she is going to bring the time and commitment that is required."

For Russell, now a fifth grade teacher at Westfield Middle School in Algonquin, the move to replace Komaromy hasn't always been the plan. But when the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Famer began hinting his days were numbered, Russell started tossing around the possibility of applying for the opening -- with Komaromy's full support.

"This hasn't been something I've been aiming at and it wasn't something I've been pining for," Russell said. "I've always been extremely happy being an assistant. I didn't start taking any of this seriously until Joe said he was definitely retiring. Once it came down to it, I started getting excited about it and I didn't want to let that excitement go.

"I'm excited, but nervous. This is a whole new responsibility level, but I'm ready for the chance and the new responsibilities."

Those responsibilities will start soon.

The Chargers are scheduled to host a two-day summer league tournament, featuring nearly 40 varsity and junior varsity teams, beginning in less than two weeks.

"I'm going to have to start learning the ropes quickly," said Russell, who became part of the first class inducted into the D-C Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. "I know I certainly can't just walk in and fill [Komaromy's] shoes. He built an incredible program. It might take some time, but I have my own style of coaching and my own way. I know most of the girls in the program, so it's not a big fear for me. I know what they can do and can't do.

"And I know [Komaromy] will be around. If I have a question I can always give him a call."

Komaromy does expect to remain a familiar face around the gymnasium during the summer, as well as when the Chargers host holiday tournaments during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Russell, whose father Tom is a longtime coach and teacher at the school, said she would not have pursued any other varsity coaching vacancies if she had been passed over to replace Komaromy.

"I wouldn't take a job anywhere else. This is where my loyalties lie," Russell said. "If you become a varsity coach there is a lot of work to be put in and if you don't have the heart to do it full-time you shouldn't do it. I wouldn't have my heart in another building."

The Chargers finished 11-16 last year in Komaromy's final season and graduated five seniors, including their top three scorers.