Girls basketball: Eagles’ Kirby resigns

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Paul Kirby resigned Monday as girls basketball coach

at Estancia High, ending a six-season tenure as head coach and a 10-year

stint with the program.

Kirby, whose Eagles shared the Pacific Coast League title last season,

the program’s first since 1991, said he could no longer commit the amount

of time necessary to run a program. He said he may continue to coach,

perhaps as soon as next season, but only as an assistant.

“I’m married now, I’m taking a couple classes and I just can’t devote

as much time to coaching as the girls deserve,” Kirby said. “I’ll finish

work on the team’s schedule for next season, but I’ve already enjoyed my

time off (since the season ended).”

Kirby guided the Eagles to the CIF Southern Section Playoffs five

times in six seasons, amassing an 82-69 record.

Last season, the Eagles finished 9-1 in league, earned a CIF Division

III-AA first-round bye, then were defeated by Morningside in the second

round.

With four starters returning, including All-League standouts Trisha

Wase, Xochitl Byfield and Tisha Gray, the Eagles should provide a wealth

of talent for the new coach.

“It should be a good situation for someone,” Kirby said.