Alan Lepper has spent a lot of years affiliated with the Helias girls basketball program.
Now he gets to be in charge.
Lepper, 54, was named the new head coach of the Lady Crusaders on Friday in a ceremony in Jefferson City at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"It should be a seamless transition, the only thing that's changing is now I'm the boss," Lepper said.
Lepper has served an an assistant coach for the Lady Crusaders the past 10 seasons.
"Alan loves our student athletes, we're so happy to give them this chance to lead our girls basketball program," Helias athletic director Brad Dempsey said. "We know he's going to do a fantastic job."
Lepper also has spent 14 years working with the Lady Knights youth basketball program and plans to stay with that program as well.
"I've had a good rapport with these kids for a long time and that's why I'm so glad to be here and get this opportunity," Lepper said.
Lepper, who has also coached in the PAL football and softball programs through the years, is a 1980 graduate of Helias.
"This is a school I love and it's a dream come true," he said. "I loved being an assistant coach, but when the opportunity came open, I wanted to take a shot at it.
"I'd like to stay around in this job for awhile."
Lepper's coaching philosophy won't be a big change for the team.
"You always want to be a strong fundamental team and we want to be a team that nobody wants to face because we play so hard," he said. "We're pretty much going to run the same offense and defense, with a few new little looks."
Lepper replaces Sarah Eagan, who stepped down after one season. Helias was 16-12 last season and won the district tournament title before falling to Owensville in the sectionals.
"We've got a good athletic team coming back and good underclassmen to fill some spots," Lepper said.
Lepper also served as an assistant at Helias under Leslie Verslues and Doug Light.
"You learn something from all of them and I think that will make me a better head coach," Lepper said.
Mark Ordway and Chris Wyrick will return as assistant coaches with the Lady Crusaders. Lepper is looking to fill two other spots on his staff.
Lepper will make his debut as head coach in a couple of weeks when Helias holds its annual summer girls basketball camps June 7-10.