- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,193,324
- Reaction score
- 59
PEORIA — Ryan McElmurry is the new Peoria High boys basketball coach.
McElmurry had the interim tag removed Monday at the Peoria Public Schools board of education meeting. He filled in for the 2025-26 season’s final seven games following the arrest of Daniel Ruffin in February.
"That's who the committee selected based on the rubric and the votes," PPS superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said, noting there were five candidates interviewed.
McElmurry went 6-1 in his interim stint, wrapping up an undefeated Big 12 Conference campaign and making an appearance in a Class 3A regional title game. This included a six-game win streak to close out the regular season.
“Extremely, extremely (exciting),” McElmurry told the Journal Star of his hiring. “I’m just blessed to be able to be in a position to be in a spot to lead this program.”
Despite rumors of Shaun Livingston being on the hiring panel, McElmurry said his interview March 17 was with just three Peoria High administrators.
“The process wasn’t too crazy,” he said. “It was just a normal interview. Obviously, I didn’t expect them to hand me the job by any means. I knew this is one of the most prominent coaching jobs in the state of Illinois, so I figured I’d be up against some quality candidates.”
The 2011 Galesburg grad has served on the Peoria High coaching staff since the 2020-21 season, seeing the Lions make a run to the 2025 Class 3A Elite Eight. His interim coaching debut came in a 72-66 road win over rival Manual.
Four more regular-season victories followed, then Peoria High beat McElmurry’s alma mater in the regional semifinal before an 11-point loss to East Peoria in the regional championship.
“I’ve made a big-time effort on just being very relationship based,” McElmurry said of his coaching approach, “and I’ll continue to do so as a head coach as well. … That definitely helped transition into the interim as well, just having the relationships and that foundation that was already laid.”
2026 Journal Star all-area teams: Meet the top 10 large-school boys basketball players
In the coming weeks, McElmurry says he will have his team hit the weight room before the summer schedule begins in June. That will include NCAA Division-I certified live events at Riverside-Brookfield and Ridgewood along with playing at the Richwoods Shootout.
He also anticipates adding a few more coaches, while also looking to retain his current staff in Orlando Edwards Sr., Kenny Burns and Mario West.
“I would like to,” McElmurry said, “obviously, promote everybody. I’m big on doing right by people and they went through the fire with me as well.”
More: 2 Peoria-area players among 11 nominees for Mr. Basketball in Illinois
McElmurry, who turns 33 in April, works for FamilyCore, but is working to complete his Master’s degree and become a teacher.
On paper, Peoria High should have of the area’s most experienced returning rosters from its 23-7 season. Sophomore starters Kayden Turner, Nigel Moore, Jacob Duffin Jr. and Orlando Edwards Jr. along with freshman Danny Ruffin could give the Lions one of the state’s most talented teams.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA boys basketball: Peoria High names Ryan McElmurry new head coach
Continue reading...
McElmurry had the interim tag removed Monday at the Peoria Public Schools board of education meeting. He filled in for the 2025-26 season’s final seven games following the arrest of Daniel Ruffin in February.
"That's who the committee selected based on the rubric and the votes," PPS superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said, noting there were five candidates interviewed.
McElmurry went 6-1 in his interim stint, wrapping up an undefeated Big 12 Conference campaign and making an appearance in a Class 3A regional title game. This included a six-game win streak to close out the regular season.
“Extremely, extremely (exciting),” McElmurry told the Journal Star of his hiring. “I’m just blessed to be able to be in a position to be in a spot to lead this program.”
Despite rumors of Shaun Livingston being on the hiring panel, McElmurry said his interview March 17 was with just three Peoria High administrators.
“The process wasn’t too crazy,” he said. “It was just a normal interview. Obviously, I didn’t expect them to hand me the job by any means. I knew this is one of the most prominent coaching jobs in the state of Illinois, so I figured I’d be up against some quality candidates.”
The 2011 Galesburg grad has served on the Peoria High coaching staff since the 2020-21 season, seeing the Lions make a run to the 2025 Class 3A Elite Eight. His interim coaching debut came in a 72-66 road win over rival Manual.
Four more regular-season victories followed, then Peoria High beat McElmurry’s alma mater in the regional semifinal before an 11-point loss to East Peoria in the regional championship.
“I’ve made a big-time effort on just being very relationship based,” McElmurry said of his coaching approach, “and I’ll continue to do so as a head coach as well. … That definitely helped transition into the interim as well, just having the relationships and that foundation that was already laid.”
2026 Journal Star all-area teams: Meet the top 10 large-school boys basketball players
In the coming weeks, McElmurry says he will have his team hit the weight room before the summer schedule begins in June. That will include NCAA Division-I certified live events at Riverside-Brookfield and Ridgewood along with playing at the Richwoods Shootout.
He also anticipates adding a few more coaches, while also looking to retain his current staff in Orlando Edwards Sr., Kenny Burns and Mario West.
“I would like to,” McElmurry said, “obviously, promote everybody. I’m big on doing right by people and they went through the fire with me as well.”
More: 2 Peoria-area players among 11 nominees for Mr. Basketball in Illinois
McElmurry, who turns 33 in April, works for FamilyCore, but is working to complete his Master’s degree and become a teacher.
On paper, Peoria High should have of the area’s most experienced returning rosters from its 23-7 season. Sophomore starters Kayden Turner, Nigel Moore, Jacob Duffin Jr. and Orlando Edwards Jr. along with freshman Danny Ruffin could give the Lions one of the state’s most talented teams.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA boys basketball: Peoria High names Ryan McElmurry new head coach
Continue reading...
