While the shoes JD Boer will have to fill leading the Pella Christian boys basketball program remain large, he comes from several teams with a track-record of success.

Boer says he’s well aware of the incredible Eagles coaching legacy, with Jerry Nikkel winning the school’s only three state basketball championships, and outgoing coach Larry Hessing’s 12 state tournament appearances in 27 seasons.

“It’s one of the exciting things about Pella Christian, is just the legacy and tradition that’s already been established,” he says. “Coach Nikkel having a ton of success and winning state championships, and Coach Hessing just having incredible longevity and winning a ton of games.”

“When I talk to everybody about the program and Coach Hessing, everybody talks about the impact he’s had on young people and the impact he’s had in the classroom and on the basketball floor, and that’s really the tradition and legacy I hope to carry on.”

Boer knows that in part, because he too comes from a legacy of great success, as he graduated from Western Christian High School — widely regarded as the greatest high school boys basketball tradition in Iowa, with its Iowa-best nine state titles. Boer says he’s been heavily influenced by the great coaches in Hull, those at Dordt–where he played and coached, and at Valley Christian in Arizona, which is led by former Pella Christian Eagle Greg Haagsma, who has won six Arizona state titles.

Boer is replacing Hessing, who retired earlier this week. Hessing won 457 games in 27 seasons at Pella Christian.