Mount Carmel’s 8-0 win against IC Catholic on April 17 might have seemed like just another victory for the Caravan, long one of the state’s elite baseball programs.
But this one was special for Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry, who reached the 700-win milestone.
According to IHSA records, only 23 baseball coaches had reached that milestone coming into this season. Heading into this week, Hurry had tacked on five more wins to boost his total to 705 with several weeks left in the season.
“You know, that win (over IC Catholic) was pretty special,” Hurry said after the Caravan played Brother Rice at Wrigley Field on April 23. “Not about the number necessarily. But it did give me time to look back at all the relationships that I’ve had because of coaching baseball here at Mount Carmel. I’m extremely blessed, to say the least. It’s a privilege to coach at Mount Carmel.”
Hurry grew up on the Southeast Side and played at St. Francis de Sales for legendary coach Al Lodl, who had 600 wins of his own. Then he went to the University of St. Francis to play for another icon in Gordie Gillespie, who was the winningest college baseball coach ever with 1,893 when he retired in 2011.
“I got to play for a couple Hall of Fame coaches in Al Lodl and Gordon Gillespie,” Hurry said. “So I learned from two Hall of Famers, two of the better ones to ever do it.”
Hurry hopes to move farther up the list. The current Illinois record-holder is Mike Napoleon, who had an even 1,000 wins from 1985 to 2024 at Niles Notre Dame, Providence and New Trier.
“I want to coach as long as my health allows me to,” Hurry said. “I hope I’ve got a good 10, 15 years left.”
Hurry has coached players who went on to the major leagues, including current Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas, along with lots of major-college players.
Seeing them grow not just as athletes, but as people, is one thing that keeps his job fun.
“I’ve always had a love for the game and being around these young guys and helping them develop,” Hurry said. “… And seeing them go on and then become adults and fathers. … It’s a very rewarding profession and I’ve loved every single bit of it.”
One of the Caravan’s current stars is senior Wake Forest recruit TJ McQulllan, who has known Hurry for years through his dad.
“Good family bond and no other guy I would rather play for,” McQuillan said. “… It’s crazy, this guy just wins. We just want to help him get as many wins as we can.”