Longtime area coach Chris Esterak tabbed to replace Maggie Ferrando at Walsh Jesuit
With a program ready to take a huge step forward next season, Walsh Jesuit Athletic Director Mark Hassman knew he had to hit a home run to replace Maggie Ferrando as the girls basketball coach.
Hassman turned to veteran Chris Esterak, who previously coached at East, Woodridge, Our Lady of the Elms, North Royalton, Louisville and Twinsburg.
“Going through the process for me, it was important to find a coach with head coaching experience, especially knowing that we have a team that could be very successful next year,” Hassman said. “Chris brought incredible experience. He understands the mission of our school and the academics. He really checked off all the boxes.
"His daughter [Abbe] is also one of his assistant coaches. She was successful at Woodridge as a player and having someone as a young role model for the girls, all that put together was a good fit for Walsh Jesuit.”
Team First: Walsh Jesuit has a five-headed monster that very few opponents have figured out
Abbe’s 196 made free throws in a season ranks 12th in Ohio history and her 496 career free throws ranks 13th.
She also holds school records at Woodridge for free-throw percentage (68.5 percent), most points in a game (44) and most 3-pointers in a game (eight). She also played on the 2016-17 Malone University team that reached the NCAA Tournament.
Walsh Jesuit is ready to win now
Esterak, 48, takes over a program left in an extremely good place by Ferrando, who took the Avon job due to traveling purposes.
Walsh went 48-24 in three seasons under Ferrando. The Warriors were 17-7 last season and reached the Ravenna Division I District semifinal before losing to North Canton Hoover.
They return all five of their starters in Cesily Sutton, Abby Garner, Megan Taraba, Taylor Angielski and Kara Courtad.
Walsh only loses Colette Sutton, who was injured all season, and Tyler Dolson.
“It’s my dream job,” Esterak said. “Great administration, great kids and families and great facilities. I’m excited to continue taking the team to the next level.
“I’m dedicated to helping all my players grow as basketball players and people. I envision bringing my family atmosphere and basketball energy to the program. I have a great staff coming with me and I know the players and parents are going to love the brand of basketball we are bringing.”
A nine-year coach at Woodridge, he led the team to a perfect regular season in 2011-2012 and won the Portage Trail Conference en route to the school’s first trip to a district final.
He was awarded the Tri-County Association Coach of the Year. After taking time off to watch Abbe at Malone, Esterak started back up as the coach at Louisville.
In the 2019-2020 season, he led the Leopards to a district final.
“Chris’ knowledge and passion for the game along with his commitment to the players and teams in his previous programs were very evident,” Hassman said. “Chris brings proven experience with all areas of coaching including preparing player development, pregame and in-game management, and developing a positive, winning culture.”
The fact Esterak wants to hit the ground running was extremely important to Hassman.
“Not only having experience, but having success was important to us,” Hassman said. “There are a lot of similarities between Maggie and Chris. The passion he has for the game came out in the interviews.
“The attention to the game and his energy is great. He wants to get in the gym already and do camp with the girls. It’s not about him developing a team, he’s developing a program. That’s something Maggie was also so good at. He’s looking at the entire picture.”
Esterak will remain the physical education teacher at Brunswick Middle School.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Esterak led East, Woodridge, Louisville and Twinsburg prior to Walsh
