Brian Kirk has been dismissed as Mason County’s head boys basketball coach after eight seasons (first reported by Travis Scaggs of WFTM-Maysville).

Kirk compiled a 150-91 record at Mason County. The Royals won district championships in all eight of his seasons and finished as 10th Region runners-up in 2023.

Kirk’s accomplishments at Mason County include eight district championships, a 2023 2A State Championship, a 2023 regional finals appearance, and two 20-win seasons. He was also named 10th Region Coach of the Year in 2016, 2021, and 2023.

Coming into the season, the Royals lost all five starters and two key bench players, needing to replace over 90% of their offense and rebounding. Despite the losses, the Royals were able to rally back from seven points down with 36 seconds left in the district title game to beat Bracken County — their 10th straight championship.

His dismissal comes after a historically down year for Mason County, who finished 7-21. The seven wins tied the school record for the fewest in a season, and the 21 losses are tied for the most in a season. The Royals also matched the school record for longest losing streak at 11 games and lost to rivals St. Patrick and Bracken County in the same season for the first time in 25 years.

Mason County is also in the midst of its longest Sweet 16 drought since making its first state tournament appearance in 1981. The Royals’ last regional championship came in 2016. Since then, the 10th Region has included state champion and state runner-up George Rogers Clark, along with state semifinalists Scott, Campbell County and Montgomery County. Mason County has also not graduated a Division I scholarship player since 2011.

Before taking over at Mason County, Kirk coached at his alma mater, Augusta, where the Panthers won a district championship and finished as regional runners-up in 2016. He also previously coached at Burgin.