Kenwood basketball coach Mike Irvin resigns, interim coach announced
Mike Irvin has resigned as Kenwood’s boys basketball coach.
According to Chicago Public Schools, which confirmed the resignation Monday, Irvin currently is ineligible for rehire with CPS. Kenwood assistant principal Joe Mason will take over as interim coach for this season, with the school planning to conduct a search for a new coach next year.
“While this decision allowed me to spend more time with family, it does not lessen my passion and dedication to developing and training in youth sports across Chicago,” Irvin said. “For over three decades, my family and I have proudly supported and uplifted student-athletes, becoming a pillar of sports in the community. I have a long legacy and commitment to the Chicago basketball community, dedicated to the success, well-being and growth of young athletes.”
Irvin said he also stepped back from his club basketball team, the Mac Irvin Fire, this past summer.
“This is the first time I haven’t traveled with the Mac Irvin Fire in July in over 20 years,” he said. “But I will be back. My ongoing contributions to youth sports are driven by my personal commitment and are not tied to any specific position. I look forward to continuing the important work of helping young athletes achieve their dreams and becoming their best selves. And I’m responding this way because I share the same sentiment and core values of CPS.”
In March, five Kenwood players, Irvin and two assistant coaches were ruled ineligible for violating Illinois High School Association rules. CPS’ Office of the Inspector General presented evidence and documents to the IHSA on Jan. 25 that revealed potential residency-rules violations for multiple Kenwood basketball players.
The CPS investigation showed that multiple players used falsified items, including utility bills, to meet Kenwood residency requirements, and that players and coaches provided inaccurate home addresses. Kenwood was allowed to play in the state tournament without the suspended players and eventually lost in the sectional semifinals.
On Monday, CPS spokesperson Sylvia Barragan sent the following statement on Irvin: “CPS prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students. We take seriously our responsibility to ensure all employees act in the best interest of our students. The district does not comment on ongoing investigations or litigation. CPS adheres to district and board of education policies and procedures to address any issues.”
That statement appears to indicate the investigation is ongoing. CPS has yet to levy any punishment against Irvin or Kenwood for the ineligible players. The state tournament penalties were determined by the IHSA.
CPS fired sports director David Rosengard in September and has not named a replacement. Former deputy director Mickey Pruitt is the current acting sports director.
Irvin was 90-26 in four seasons at Kenwood. He led the Broncos to supersectional appearances in 2022 and 2023. Kenwood lost in the city title game in 2023 and 2024.
The Broncos are expected to be one of the top teams in the area this season. Senior Aleks Alston and sophomore Devin Cleveland return from last year’s team. Senior guard Amari Edwards transferred in from Phillips.
Cleveland had a breakout summer. He has grown to 6-3 and is the No. 11 player in the national class of 2027 according to ESPN. He has scholarship offers from Arizona State, Hampton, Illinois, Illinois State, Michigan, NIU, WIU and DePaul.
Mike Irvin’s coaching career at Kenwood
2020-21: 12-2
2021-22: 26-9
2022-23: 28-7
2023-24: 24-8
TOTAL: 90-26