Photo credit to Paul Brinker Photography

The Murphysboro Red Devils have not had great luck finding head coaches for their volleyball and girls’ basketball programs during the era of COVID-19.  Things changed Wednesday when Murphysboro Athletic Director Len Novara announced the return of Apryl Gordon as volleyball coach and the hire of Red Devil alum Karen Jurich as girls’ basketball coach.

Gordon, who served as an assistant for the Red Devils for two decades, finally got her shot at head coach last season and led the volleyball team to a 16-11 record, 7-3 in the Ohio Division.  Their postseason hopes were cut short for the Red Devils when they ran in to Freeburg in the 2A Regional semifinals.

In late May, the Red Devils thought they had their girls’ basketball coach filled in Red Devil alum Blake DeRocher but quickly after Murphysboro had to search again as DeRocher had a career opportunity that forced his resignation.  Wednesday, the Red Devils announced Jurich as the next head coach for the girls’ basketball program.  She also serves as the volleyball coach for Herrin.