Craig Irwin has waited 14 years to return to coaching.
The right opportunity arrived on Thursday, when he was announced as the Shanley boys basketball coach. He takes over for Tony Paper, who's led the Deacons since the 2019-2020 season.
Irwin tallied a 212-48 in eight seasons as head coach of the North Dakota State College of Science men. He resigned from the job in 2008, after he was suspended during the season for violating North Dakota State Board of Higher Education policy with his role in a National Junior College Athletic Association rules violation.
He had not returned to coaching since, but with his youngest daughter Tylee's college basketball career coming to an end, Irwin felt he was ready.
"50 years I've been a player, I played in college, I coached in high school, coached in college, and have been watching my kids play," Irwin said. "I'm going to be honest, I'm having trouble sleeping at night, I'm very, very excited."
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Fargo South girls basketball coach Jason Smedshammer will retire as the Bruins head coach. On the team's staff since 1999, he took over as head coach in 2011.
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