Nicoletti steps down at Grayslake North

Rob Nicoletti and his wife, Carly, welcomed their first child last year. Which explains why he made the decision this week to step down as Grayslake North's girls basketball coach after five seasons.

"I have loved this job for the past five years, but having a little one at home now changes my priorities a bit and you see the demands of being a head coach," said Nicoletti, who teaches special education at Grayslake North. "I love coaching and hope to continue in some capacity in the future, but the timing feels right to make this decision now."

When Grayslake North beat Grant in a play-in game of the Class 4A Hersey regional a couple of weeks ago, it gave the Knights double-digit wins for the fifth time in as many seasons under Nicoletti.

Grayslake North went 72-79 under Nicoletti, who replaced Nate Flannery following the 2013-14 season. Nicoletti, a Lake Zurich graduate, became the program's third head coach since the school started playing varsity competition in 2006.