Marc Allert, a 20-year veteran of the Post Falls High School District and athletic department, has been selected to replace departing girls varsity basketball coach Chris Johnson, the school announced Wednesday.

Johnson resigned last month after a 17-year stint as coach and two state championships.

“I’m really excited,” Allert said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a few years now. I’ve got all the respect for what Coach Johnson did and am excited to get that started.”

Allert has coached in the boys basketball program for the past 20 years as the JV coach and assistant to boys coach Mike McLean the past four years.

“I’m looking forward to building the program from scratch and watching the kids improve,” Allert said. “I’m excited for the kids we’ve got coming back and building the program and continue it from year to year.”

Post Falls will graduate three players from last year’s squad, which went 8-14 and finished fourth in the 5A Inland Empire League.

“I’ve kind of kept an eye on them for the past couple of years,” Allert said. “I’ve got some younger girls coming up in the program and have coached a lot of the same kids in track.”

Allert is also the boys and girls jumps coach at Post Falls and teaches athletic conditioning, health and sports medicine. A team from the 5A IEL has played for the state title in each of the last six seasons, with only one loss in the title game.

“Obviously we play in a tough league,” Allert said. “This year, we had the three best teams in the state right here. Our goal is to keep improving as a group. The last two years, we haven’t won a game in league. If we’re competitive in our league, we should be pretty good.”

The move is pending school board approval.

“It’s a great deal,” Post Falls athletic director Craig Christensen said. “He’s definitely qualified. He spent a number of years in our program. I’m really happy to have someone of his quality in the program.”

Bryan Kelly, the JV boys basketball coach at Post Falls and Debbie Holte, a former women’s coach at Corban College in Salem, Ore., were also considered for the job.

“I’m excited and ready for the challenge,” Allert said. “I’m ready to get started.”