CHERRY TWP — Former Butler point guard Jerrod Markle is taking the reins of the Moniteau High School varsity basketball program.

Markle, 26, was approved Monday night for the position by the Moniteau School Board.

“We’re excited to have him on board,” Superintendent George Svolos said. “He’s enthusiastic. He was well prepared for the interview.

“He expressed knowledge and a plan. He knows it’s going to be a process to put his program in place.”

Markle was the junior varsity coach under Chris Bellis at Karns City last season, his only year of basketball coaching experience.

“I feel humbled. I feel blessed,” Markle said of his hiring.

The program director for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butler County, Markle has never been away from basketball since graduating from Butler in 2005. He is a Mercyhurst College graduate who recently got his masters in secondary education at the University of Pittsburgh.

“I didn’t play college basketball, but I’ve always been around the game,” Markle said. “I’ve played in adult leagues at the YMCA, and my father has coached for a long time.”

Markle replaces Randy Armagost, who won 171 games in 14 years with the Warriors.