St. Rita’s boys basketball team, which was expected to be a state championship favorite next season, had already taken some big hits in the offseason with James Brown and Melvin Bell announcing their departures.
On Tuesday, the entire program was thrown into flux with the announcement that coach Roshawn Russell was resigning.
Russell has taken an associate coach’s role at St. Laurence under head coach Byron Burt. Russell will also be the assistant athletic director for community engagement at the Burbank school.
“This was my choice,” Russell said. “I wasn’t forced out or anything like that. My time at St. Rita has been great. I’m an alum and I’m really fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to coach at my alma mater. Anyone who’s had that opportunity knows how special that is.
“However, I’m just at a place where this was the best decision for me and my family moving forward. I’m excited for new beginnings at St. Laurence.”
St. Rita went into last season with colossal expectations after the addition of transfer Nojus Indrusaitis from Lemont gave the Mustangs the top three junior recruits in the state in college recruits Brown (North Carolina), Morez Johnson (Illinois) and Indrusaitis (Iowa State).
The Mustangs (23-11), however, had an up-and-down season that was highlighted by a Catholic League Blue championship and ended with a 72-65 loss to Brother Rice in a Class 4A St. Rita Sectional semifinal.
All five starters on that team were underclassmen with the potential to return and make a run at a state title, but Brown announced just weeks after the season ended that he will play his senior season at Link Academy in Missouri.
On Monday, Bell — a coveted recruit for the 2025 class — announced his decision to transfer to La Lumiere, a prep school in Indiana.
Now, Russell is gone after going 71-42 over four seasons.
Johnson and Indrusaitis are still at St. Rita, although it’s unknown whether Russell’s departure will have an impact on their futures.
St. Rita released a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“We thank Roshawn Russell for his work at St. Rita High School in both the admissions and athletic departments,” St. Rita president John Donahue said. “He certainly has a strong legacy in our basketball program — as a player and coach. We wish him the best of luck in his next career opportunity.”
Russell said he’s looking forward to a new chapter with the Vikings.
“I’m really impressed with their administration from top down, their president and athletic director and how long they have been there,” Russell said. “Seeing where the institution is as a whole, it’s exciting to be a part of that and get a chance to help propel the school, as a whole, forward.
“Me and coach Burt are good friends, and to have an opportunity to coach with him is really exciting. I feel like our staff will be as good as anyone’s around. I’m excited to come in and support him.”
St. Laurence athletic director Tim Chandler called Russell’s hiring an “exciting addition.”
“I think it’s a huge for our school, our athletic department and our student athletes,” Chandler said. “I’ve been the moderator for basketball in the Catholic League while Roshawn’s been coaching, and I think we’ve always had a mutual respect for each other. I’ve always admired the work he’s done.
“He’s always been successful, and he does it with tremendous character and integrity. Those are the type of people that, if you have the opportunity to add them to your school community, they’ll definitely make everyone here better.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
