An assistant coach for championship football and boys basketball programs at Pella High School will now get to lead a program with rich history at the school.

Blaine Forsythe is the new head coach of the Lady Dutch, following the resignation of Jerod Garland. Forsythe has been an assistant for the Pella football and boys basketball teams, and has been on staff for three state championships since he rejoined the district as a teacher in 2015. Blaine graduated from Central College and Pella High School, where he was a first-team All-State football player and a multiple-year starter on the basketball team.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the girls basketball program and look forward to being a part of the rich history of Pella Athletics. I am excited to work with the student-athletes, impact their lives, and pursue championships on the court, in the classroom, and in our community,” Forsythe said.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the future of Pella girls basketball and the leadership that Coach Forsythe provides,” Activities Director Matt Fouch said in a statement. “His passion for developing our student-athletes into great people and productive members of society is evident in his everyday interactions and we look forward to that continuing with our girls basketball program.”

The Pella girls basketball team has 10 state tournament appearances, all coming since 1993 and nine have happened in the last two decades.