Former Lawrence North High School football coach Kevin King has been hired as Bishop Chatard.s wrestling coach. King was the wrestling coach at Center Grove for nine seasons, winning approximately 75 percent of the dual matches, six sectional titles and sending three wrestlers to the state championship match.

"It.s a great opportunity and great place to work," said King, 48, a physical education teacher in the Lawrence Township school district. "I.m just one of those old-school guys that likes to coach. Most of my 25 years of coaching, I.ve worked with three sports. I just enjoy coaching and the variety of working with different sports."

King, an all-state football player and state champion in wrestling and the discus at Bloomington South, was also head football and track coach at Center Grove and was serving as the wrestling coach at Belzer Middle School. He will also coach outside linebackers for the Bishop Chatard football team and has recently been an assistant football coach at Warren Central, Arlington and Lawrence Central.

"We.re very excited about him coming on board," athletic director Mike Ford said. "I grew up at the same time he did and remember his wrestling days but I didn.t know the extent (of his coaching background in the sport). To have someone with that experience and background is always welcome. He came in with a good plan to help us build our numbers and make us competitive from top to bottom."

King replaces Tim Lavin, who resigned to spend more time with his family, according to Ford.

King said his priority at Bishop Chatard will be increasing the number of wrestlers in the program then use the drills and repetition he learned at Bloomington South in the 1970s when the program won six state titles. Ford said the program, which finished near .500 last season, had 16 wrestlers last season and would like to see that number double. The program has had successful individuals recently, sending Anthony Bill to the state finals last season.

"Bishop Chatard has great tradition in so many sports," King said. "We.ll get the kids out, teach them the drills and winning will take care of itself."

Bishop Chatard also hired Beth Brogan as girls golf coach. It will be the first coaching job for the Bishop Chatard graduate and teacher at St. Matthew.s.