Valparaiso University has announced that associate head coach Greg Kirby is retiring from coaching after spending six seasons with the Crusaders’ program and 41 years of coaching overall.

Kirby arrived at Valpo as an assistant coach prior to the 2006-2007 season and as promoted to associate head coach one year later.  With the Crusaders he served as the team’s scouting director, helped with recruiting, and was the team’s academic monitor in addition to working with the defense and the post players.

“It has been a pleasure to get to know and work with so many good people at Valparaiso University,” Kirby said.  “The coaching staff, the players, and the other staff members with whom I have worked have made my time at Valpo memorable.  In particular I would like to thank Coach Freeman for giving me the opportunity to experience the next level of basketball.  It has allowed me to continue to grow as a coach and as an educator, which was rewarding for me.  I believe the momentum is headed upward for this program and I wish them continued success on their journey to the top of the Horizon League.”

Prior to arriving at Valpo, Kirby spent 16 seasons as the head girls coach at Valparaiso High School, and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame earlier this year.  He won 12 Duneland Athletic Conference titles with the Vikings and posted a 324-58 record, finishing runner-up in the state of Indiana twice.

Kirby was also the boys varsity coach at Portage High School for nine years, and combined boys and girls tallied a 439-144 prep record in 25 seasons.  He started his coaching career as the freshman boys coach at Danville High School in Illinois before becoming the junior varsity boys coach at Anderson High School prior to moving to Northwest Indiana.