Wirtzberger, YC part ways

Bill Wirtzberger is no longer the girls' basketball coach at Yuma Catholic, both he and Shamrock athletic director Rhett Stallworth confirmed on Thursday.

Wirtzberger said he resigned on Monday. Stallworth said he could not comment.

"I can just tell you he no longer works for us anymore," Stallworth said.  "On personnel issues I can't really discuss it, I can only say that he's not going to be with us next year."

Wirtzberger's daughters, sophomore Alex and senior Ashley, played a big role on the Shamrocks last year, and Ashley Wirtzberger has set state records with her accuracy from 3-point range.

Wirtzberger said it's because of his daughters he is leaving.

"I'm kind of looking to get the girls into a bigger school, and we kind of came from a bigger school," Wirtzberger said. "I love Yuma Catholic, it's an incredible place and I've been there four years, three years coaching. But we were always struggling to have enough kids and as much as I think it's a great place, Ashley has been playing with some bigger-school kids lately and I think maybe for the future for my other daughters that might be the way to go."

Wirtzberger said he ultimately would like to be a principal. He said he doesn't know what his immediate plans are yet, but there are three options - to stick around the area and let his daughters play at one of the larger schools; to coach his daughters in the Phoenix area; and to stick around town as an assistant principal.

He added that there was one particular job option he was looking at, but did not want to comment on it until it became official. He also said he was hoping to get back into public schools because of the better opportunity to advance into administration.

Stallworth said the team is early in the process of looking for a replacement.

"We're going to make sure we get the right person for the job," Stallworth said. "You want to make sure you cover all your bases and get the right person. No need to rush into it. We have a little bit of time and next year we'll get the right guy or girl.

"You're looking for experience, you're looking at people who can get on campus if possible," Stallworth said. "Someone who has a good background in basketball who is going to work within our academic and athletic philosophies."

Wirtzberger was named 2A West Region coach of the year last year, while Ashley Wirtzberger was the player of the year and earned all-state honors as well.

"I wish him well and he did a good job for us," Stallworth said. "But at this point, he's going his way and we're going to go our way."