Chandler High took longer than expected but decided on Thursday to name longtime Chandler varsity assistant  Shaun Aguano as its next football coach.

Aguano, a teacher at Chandler the last 10 years, replaces Jim Ewan, who retired at the end of last season after 10 seasons. Aguano has been involved in the Wolves football program all 10 years. He's served the past six years as offensive coordinator and four years prior to that as receivers' coach. He also coached seven years in Hawaii before coming to Arizona.

 Aguano met Thursday morning with superintendent Camille Casteel where he was offered the job. Aguano was one of two finalists for the position.

"It was a long, tough  process, but it was worth it," Aguano said. "It was nerve-racking. Jim has built a good foundation here. We want to keep moving forward..

"...Being a head coach has always been a goal of mine. I wanted it to be at Chandler just because when we started here we saw the low. Now we're at the point we think we can win a championship."

Aguano was a head basketball coach five of seven years in Hawaii. He played high school football in Hawaii and went on to attend Linfield College in Oregon on a football scholarship, which helped whet his appetite to coach.

"We're pleased Shaun will be our coach," Chandler principal Terry Williams said. "We think he's the guy that can take us to the next level. He has good moral and ethical standards and will be good for our kids. He knows the program and wants the parents involved. It's a good fit."

Ewan, who recommended Aguano for his position, was pleased to hear of his selection.

"I think Shaun was the best fit for the program" Ewan said. "It's nice that his loyalty was rewarded. I'm excited for him."