Corisis to Coach Women’s Basketball at Pierce

George Corisis, the Palmdale High girls’ basketball coach, has been hired as the women’s basketball coach at Pierce College.

Corisis, whose Palmdale teams won six Golden League championships in his nine seasons as coach, will be a walk-on coach at Pierce.

Corisis, 42, replaces Rob Di Muro, who led Pierce into the second round of the Southern California regional last season.

Di Muro resigned April 11 to pursue an assistant women’s basketball coaching job at College of the Canyons. Di Muro’s departure sparked a controversy at Pierce. Athletic Director Marian McWilliams originally was quoted as saying that Canyons acted in an “underhanded” manner because it did not contact Pierce before pursuing Di Muro.

Canyons administrators denied improprieties, and Di Muro has been forced to wait for Canyons to go through proper affirmative-action procedures in its search for a women’s assistant coach.

Several freshmen played on Pierce’s 21-10 team last season and some might follow Di Muro to Canyons if he becomes the assistant there.

“That’s fine. Whatever they want to do,” Corisis said of the possibility of players transferring. “We just want kids on campus with a winning attitude who are dedicated to the Pierce program.”

Corisis said he plans to hold a team meeting next week. Pierce freshmen Yolanda Davidian and Keli McCaskill are already enrolled at Canyons, and another, Luisa Parra, has enrolled at Canyons for the fall. All three also are enrolled at Pierce.

Corisis said no Palmdale players will be coming with him to Pierce. He started three sophomores on a 23-6 team that won the Golden League last season.

“I’m sure the first year, getting out recruiting a little late, will be tough,” Corisis said.

Corisis’ Palmdale teams won 20 or more games seven times, qualified for the playoffs all nine seasons and twice reached the Southern Section semifinals.