MINFORD — Minford High School has announced the hiring of Josh Shoemaker as the new head coach of it's boys basketball program.

Minford athletic director Jim Parkes said Shoemaker was hired last week.

"Anytime you interview coaches and you meet people... you never really get to know them that well. We know "Shoe" real well," Parkes said.

Shoemaker most recently led the Portsmouth Trojans through a 9-11 campaign last season. He was succeeded in that position by assistant coach Eugene Collins.

Parkes said that Shoemaker's familiarity with Minford made him an ideal candidate for the job.

"He is a Minford boy," Parkes said. "His wife is a Minford girl... We know right up front what we are getting."

Shoemaker, a 1999 Minford graduate, is succeeding Kyle Copley, who led Minford to a 13-9 record last season.

"Kyle Copley did a tremendous job and we just want to continue that and contniue getting the kids to compete for the league," Shoemaker said. "He did a great job and he left the program in very good shape."

Shoemaker added that his past connection to Minford played a role in his decsion.

"It was kind of a late decision," he said. "Jim Parkes called to see if I was interested in the job. I decided it looked like a good opportunity."

While a student at Minford, Shoemaker played under coach John Strickland. Shoemaker said that Strickland will remain on staff as an assistant coach.

Shoemaker said the Falcons lost some players to graduation but will return two starters from last season's team.

"We have a good core of kids and a good junior class," he said. "They're hard workers."