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 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.

Full interview with Boer:

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