(PrepXtra.com & Mike Blackerby) OAK RIDGE — For Ricky Norris, the easy part was saying yes to Webb School.

The hardest part was saying goodbye to Oak Ridge High School.

Norris resigned Wednesday after a strong seven-year run as boys’ basketball coach at Oak Ridge to take the same position and also serve as dean of students at Webb.

At best, Norris termed the decision gut-wrenching.

“That’s the best way you can put it,” said Norris.

“I’m leaving a great place for another great place. Obviously, it was a difficult decision, but it’s the right move for me and the right move for my family.”

Norris’ tenure as head coach at Oak Ridge included an impressive stint that saw the Wildcats average 25 victories a season and make trips to the state Class AAA tournament in 2005 and ‘08.

Norris replaces Landry Kosmalski, who resigned earlier this month after compiling a 19-32 two-year mark at Webb. Kosmalski has since accepted an assistant-coaching post at Davidson College.

Webb athletics director David Meske said Norris was selected from a final field of four candidates who were interviewed for the dual position.

“We are excited to have Ricky join our staff,” said Meske.

“I think he’ll be an outstanding dean of students and basketball coach. He’s a proven winner and a great fit for both of those jobs. We’re very fortunate to have him. We think Ricky is someone who is going to move our basketball program forward.”

Norris said the lure of becoming dean of students at Webb and having the opportunity to continue to coach basketball was too attractive to pass up.

“It’s a new challenge I look forward to,” said Norris.

“The administrative part is a new challenge and I think we have the pieces in place to have a really strong basketball program.”

Mike Mullins, athletics director at Oak Ridge, said Norris will be greatly missed.

“We appreciate everything coach Norris has done for the program, this high school and the Oak Ridge community over the last seven years,” said Mullins.

“He has represented us with class, dignity and done a remarkable job. I wish him and his family the best in their new endeavor at Webb.”

Mullins said a search for a new coach will begin immediately.

“I’ll form a committee and start the process.”

Norris said he’ll always treasure his years at Oak Ridge.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better situation or more support. The players, staff and overall circle of people you deal with at Oak Ridge couldn’t be better. There’s a lot of fond memories there — I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Norris was a standout basketball player in high school, graduating from Karns in 1991. He earned an undergraduate degree from Tennessee Wesleyan in 1996.

Norris was an assistant coach at Oak Ridge for four years under Chuck Carringer before serving as head coach at Harriman for two seasons. He returned to Oak Ridge as head coach and compiled a 174-71 record with the Wildcats.

Mike Blackerby is a freelance contributor.