Kevin Dermody has known Roy Richards for a long time. Dermody played football at T.F. North when Richards' father was coaching there.
On Thursday the paths of the two came together. Dermody was named the new boys basketball coach at Morton, where Roy Richards is the athletic director and football coach.
Dermody is in his second year as Kankakee Valley's offensive coordinator in football. Richards said he will stay with the Kougars as long as they are alive in the IHSAA playoffs.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Dermody said. "I plan on doing it the old-school way. I am defensive minded. If we play good defense, the offense will take care of itself."
Dermody coached nine years of middle school basketball in Calumet City, St. Francis de Sales, five years as Morton's freshman coach, K.V. football and hoops at Rensselaer.
He played football with former Bears quarterback Mike Tomczak before playing one year at Rice University before an injury ended his playing days.
"He brings some real value to our athletic program as a whole," Richards said. "He is a great family man and will be a perfect role model for our kids here at Morton.
"He is an extremely hard worker and has a real passion for kids and for basketball."
Dermody replaces Benjamin Chinn. Chinn was arrested in June on two counts of child seduction, a Class D felony, stemming from allegations he engaged in sexual activities with a 17-year-old student. Chinn's next court date will be Nov. 16, when he has a hearing in Lake County Circuit Court to set a date for a jury trial.
Chinn was 11-10 in his only season as the Governors' coach. Morton was 5-1 in Great Lakes Athletic Conference play last winter.
Kankakee Valley carries a 7-1 record into tonight's game at Munster. With a win, the Kougars will earn at least a share of the Northwest Crossroads Conference title.
Then, the Kougars will host Hobart in the Class 4A Sectional 10 opener.
"Kevin has done a great job, along with Dan Ellenwood, working with our offense," K.V. head coach Brad Stewart said. "We've certainly enjoyed having him here with us. I like his style. He gets the kids motivated when he raises his voice.
"He works well with kids and teaches them every day."
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