The more Tim Rulo looked, the more he liked.
"Some of the awesome things that I've enjoyed working with here, the tradition and community support, you have at Chillicothe," Rulo, the former head football coach at Helias, said Friday after being named last week as head coach at Chillicothe. "The more research that I did, the more impressed I became."
Chillicothe is one of the storied football programs in the state. The Hornets have won five state championships and are among the top-five Missouri programs in all-time victories.
"A lot of young people might not be aware of the history of Chillicothe football," Rulo said. "But it's a very elite program."
Rulo will be just the third head coach in more than 50 years at Chillicothe. Bob Fairchild, a Hall of Fame member, led the Hornets from 1963-98. Phil Willard then took over, retiring after last season.
"They have a history of continued success," Rulo said. "There's a sense of continuity, down to running a lot of the same plays for all these years.
"The tradition really appealed to me."
Chillicothe finished 10-2 last year, falling to Maryville in the district title game after defeating the Spoofhounds in the regular season. The Hornets' other loss came to St. Joseph Lafayette.
Chillicothe is graduating a talented senior class, something Rulo faced at Helias when he took over three seasons ago.
"I feel like I'm prepared for this," Rulo said. "I told them what I was about, what my coaching philosophies are.
"During these last three years, I've become a better coach. I did some good things at Helias, I know I could have done some things better. I think being at Helias helped prepare me for what I'm going to experience at Chillicothe."
Rulo said no Helias assistant coaches are following him to Chillicothe, all are either staying with the school or have found other coaching positions. He is unsure about whether any of the current Chillicothe assistants will stay on to be on his coaching staff.
There has not been a final decision on what Rulo's teaching position will be at Chillicothe.
Rulo will finish the school year at Helias, including serving as head track and field coach for the Crusaders and Lady Crusaders.
Chris Hentges will be back for a second stint as head football coach at Helias starting this fall.