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Kernan to coach Irish girls basketball team
Ursuline to rebuild
minus four seniors
By Dan Hiner
Mike Kernan will walk the sidelines of the Ursuline High School gym once again.
Kernan was hired as the Irish girls basketball coach, Ursuline principal Matthew Sammartino announced on Friday. Kernan is Ursuline’s softball coach, leading the Irish to a 25-3 record in 2019.
“Instead of putting in two hours a day, I’m putting in four hours a day,” Kernan said.
Kernan retired from the insurance and financial planning industry two years ago. The free time provides enough opportunity to run both teams.
“To be a leader at a high school and be a head coach [of a basketball team] has always been a thought that I’d like to experience that and give it a shot and see what I can do,” Kernan said.
He took over the team from Vannessa Dickson. The Irish went 17-8 last season and lost to district champion Poland in the final. Dickson played for Kernan on the girls basketball team.
Kernan said there was no ill will between the current and former coaches.
“We actually texted [Saturday] a little bit,” Kernan said. “She was great to coach, great athlete back in the day.
“Hey, it was her turn to be a coach there. That was it for her and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Kernan was a girls basketball assistant coach from 2003-08. The Irish won the 2004 Division III state title and were runner-ups in 2006, Ursuline’s only appearances in the state tournament.
In 18 seasons in Ursuline’s dugout, Kernan has amassed a 346-146 record and 17 winnings season. The Irish have won seven district titles and four Steel Valley Conference championships and reached state three times. He led Ursuline to a 2009 Division III state final appearance.
Kernan also has coaching experience from Campbell and Hubbard. So splitting time between the sports isn’t a concern.
“By the time we got done with basketball it was the first day of softball,” Kernan said. “That timing really didn’t run into each other, other than maybe offseason conditioning and open gyms.
“Back when [the Irish] were state champs and we made it all the way through those days with the districts, regionals and state championships, we just manage the schedule accordingly.”
The Irish lost four seniors to graduation, including Dayshanette Harris, who will play at Pittsburgh. Harris set the Mahoning County scoring record with 2,428 career points. She was named Division II Northeast Inland District Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Ohio honors as a senior.
As a result, Kernan said the expectations for the 2019-20 season will be “realistic.”
“It’s going to be a challenge for me, and I’m up for the challenge,” Kernan said.
The team will lean on the underclassmen in Kernan’s first season. He said they won’t quickly replace Harris, but they can “start a new foundation.”
Kernan is currently trying to put together his staff. He said long-time assistant coach Arnold Davidson will be retained, but the rest of the staff is still being assembled.
“The first thing we’re doing here is lining them up and talking to people,” Kernan said.
The first day of coaching for girls basketball is Oct. 25. The season will begin on Nov. 22.