“I resigned [Monday] from Thornwood,” Curran said. “It’s not 100 percent sure with Lincoln-Way yet. It still needs to go through the school board, they have to approve it.”

Curran was an assistant under head coach Kevin Hayhurst in 2001 when Thornwood, led by Eddy Curry, lost to Schaumburg in the Class AA state title game. He became head coach when Hayhurst resigned after the 2002 season.

“[Lincoln-Way North] is closer to home, it just seemed like a good move,” Curran said. “It allows me to still coach and spend more time with my family, so it’s a good fit.”

Curran, considered one of the top young coaches in the state, led the Thunderbirds to a second place finish in the Class AA state tournament in 2003, his first season on the job. Thornwood lost in the title game to Peoria Central, led by current Los Angeles Clipper Shaun Livingston.

“Bob has been a great coach for us,” Lagesse said. “If the money you see at the college level trickled down to the high school level, he'd be a $3-4 million coach. He did a tremendous job here. I just walked around all day thinking about the loss."

The Thunderbirds also advanced to the state quarterfinals last season and finished fourth. Curran’s overall record over six years was 103-48.

“It’s a great move for Bob and his family,” Lagesse said. “I have two years left and wish he would have stayed.”

Thornwood lost to Thornton on Friday in the Thornton sectional championship game to finish the season 23-7.

The Thunderbirds were a senior-laden team this year, but the school has produced a steady stream of talent over the past twenty years.

“As far as a replacement, we don't do anything without talking to the district office,” Lagesse said.