DeMarco retires as Notre Dame-Fairfield girls basketball coach

After 12 successful seasons, Notre Dame-Fairfield head girls basketball coach Eric DeMarco is retiring from coaching.

DeMarco informed the team Tuesday of his decision.

DeMarco brought Notre Dame to three CIAC state championship games, finishing second in 2007, 2013 and 2016.

Notre Dame won the SWC championship in 2016, finishing as runner-up four times under DeMarco.

In 2016, DeMarco was named the Hearst Connecticut Media Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.

This past season, the Lancers finished 22-2, earning the No. 1 seed in the Class M state tournament before losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Hillhouse.

“I have waited and thought long and hard about if it is ‘time’ and I feel that this is the correct decision for me,” DeMarco said in a press release issued by the school “The team is in a great place and will be well positioned to succeed for the next coach. It has been a great twelve years and I am very thankful for the opportunity that I was given to join and work as a coach in the Notre Dame family. I have been very lucky to meet supportive parents and coach great student athletes that have produced many good memories over the years. I have enjoyed this experience and the many supportive staff members who have contributed to our success. Thank you, and I wish nothing but continued success for Notre Dame.”

DeMarco began coaching at Seymour in 1987, serving as an assistant for Joe Frager, now the head coach at Fairfield University.

DeMarco spent one season as head coach at Farmington a year before taking over at Seymour in 1998.

DeMarco guided the Wildcats to the Class L state championship game in 2000, losing to Hillhouse.

The search for a new coach will begin immediately, according to the press release.

The team will return several starters from last year’s squad.

“I would like to thank Eric personally for what he has done over the past twelve years as the Head Coach of the Girls’ Basketball team,” athletic director Rob Bleggi said. “His hard work, loyalty and professionalism at all times is second to none. Notre Dame girls basketball would not be in the position it is today without the leadership he provided these past years. I understand and respect his decision he has made and wish him only the best in the future for him and his family. He will always be a part of the Notre Dame family.”