MINT HILL, NC – The Rocky River High School Ravens recently announced the hiring of a new boys head basketball coach for the upcoming 2020-21 season. He replaces Michael Malpass who resigned after an 11-13 season.
Kirby has a resume showing a solid track record of success in the Charlotte area as both a head coach and assistant at three different high schools.
From 2017-2019 he was an assistant coach at Carmel Christian School. The team was a two time NCISAA State Champion in 2018 and 2019. In 2016, until he joined Carmel Christian, Kirby was an assistant coach at Northside Christian when they were the 2016 NCISAA State Runner Up.
Kirby was the head coach at Butler High School during 2012-2014. The Bulldogs were the Southwestern 4A Conference Tournament Champions in 2012 and 2014. His teams won two Christmas Tournament Championships under his leadership, in 2013 the Sheetz Shootout, and the Moorehead Christmas Tournament in 2014. Prior to becoming the head coach, Kirby was an assistant coach form 1998-2005.
Kirby transferred his skills and talents to West Mecklenburg High School as the head basketball coach from 2006-2011. In 2007 he was named Queen City-Conference Coach of the Year, his teams were two time Conference Tournament Champions, in 2009 he was the head coach of the Charlotte Pro Am Senior All-Star game, and in 2011 the team made a Sectional Championship appearance.
In the past four seasons Rocky River had three winning seasons, including an appearance in the 2018 North Carolina 4A Western Regional Championship game in the semifinals when they were defeated by local rival Independence High School the eventual State Champion.
Steve Robinson, Athletic Director at Rocky River High School, knows he has an excellent basketball coach taking over the Ravens program with a solid record of success. “We are looking forward to getting back to playing sports again in the fall and winter, we believe we have the makings of building an outstanding boys basketball program. The hiring of coach Kirby is a giant step in accomplishing our goal.”
