SANDPOINT — Sandpoint named Will Love the new girls basketball head coach on Thursday, promoting him from an assistant role to replace Duane Ward in guiding the emerging program.

Love, 40, was born and raised in Sandpoint, and played hoops in high school. He was an assistant for four years in the boys program under Tyler Haynes, including three as the JV head coach, and spent the past four years as an assistant coach under Ward, bringing home a pair of 3rd place trophies in the process.

Love teaches at SHS, and is the advisor for the Cedar Post student newspaper. With deep Bulldog roots, he’s excited to take his first head coaching job at his alma mater.

“It means a lot. Growing up here, a Bulldog fan all my life, I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Love, who hopes to keep the program on its current trajectory. “The girls program is in a good place, why fix something if it isn’t broken.”

Love will put his own stamp on the program, as a head coach must, but that doesn’t mean he’ll change a whole lot.

“We want to play up-tempo. We’re seeing more girls with good skills,” said Love. “We want to keep the floor spread, and let good players do what they do. We’ll be aggressive on defense, play more man along with the zone.”

Every coach has his influences, and for Love, it’s the two he’s coached under most recently, both of whom guided teams to state. All four years Love coached under Ward included trips to state, a trend which he hopes to continue.

“Between coach Haynes and coach Ward, I’ve learned a lot. I don’t know that I’ll change a lot,” admitted Love. “To get to five straight trips to state, takes a lot of work by coaches, players and parents. I’m honored to be part of that.”

Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles was pleased to announce the hire. Whenever a program is successful, promoting from within is often the best route to go for continuity.

“I am excited for the future of Bulldog girls basketball and what it has in store,” said Knowles. “Interest in basketball is high and I know Will has what it takes to keep the program successful.”

Love knows he has big shoes to fill on the sidelines, and is happy to go about the challenge.

“Duane’s a legend. You talk to people throughout the region, they talk about what a great coach he is,” described Love. “It was an honor to coach with him for four years. He allowed me to make calls on a lot of things, and I appreciate that.”