With an enormous amount of respect and gratitude, Lou Rideaux truly believes they finally got it right.

Rideaux, a longtime varsity assistant coach, has been hired as the Tremper interim boys basketball coach, Unified Coordinator of Athletics Scott Lindgren announced on Wednesday.

The hiring comes after a tumultuous three weeks for the Tremper basketball program, beginning when coach John Wilhelmson unexpectedly stepped down on Sept. 8. Lindgren announced the hiring of longtime youth coach Dr. Al Savaglio on Sept. 15 and then re-opened the search to properly follow “district hiring procedure.”

With the position available once again, Rideaux said his familiarity with the program, his rapport with the students and his extensive coaching background made him a perfect fit.

“What makes it most exciting is the opportunity to work with a great bunch of kids,” Rideaux said. “I’ve been in the program, and I know these kids would run through a brick wall for me. They have confidence in me and I have plenty (of confidence) in them.”

Rideaux, 57, spent five seasons coaching the Trojans’ freshmen and sophomore teams under Wilhelmson and was a former assistant on the Tremper girls basketball team under the late Jeff Willis.

Rideaux, a Tremper math teacher, spent 18 years at Racine St. Catherine’s and was a member of two Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association State championship teams under legendary coaches John F. McGuire and Bob Letsch.

Rideaux, a Chicago native, said he received a warm welcome as the Trojans’ new head coach.

“Since the position has been appointed to me, the support from the facility and staff has been unbelievable,” Rideaux said. “It feels good to have their support and the kids also. We weren’t able to let the kids know until (Wednesday) and they were very happy.”

With the first day of practice less than seven weeks away, the Trojans still need to find Rideaux’s assistant coach along with coaches to take over at the lower levels. Randy Wilson, a longtime assistant coach under Wilhelmson, recently announced his retirement, according to Rideaux.

Working on such a short time frame, Rideaux will undoubtedly be a busy man.

“I realize this is a high-pressure position,” Rideaux said. “There is obviously a lot of avenues for failure and only a small road for success. I’m not making any predictions. We play in a very competitive conference and I’m getting a late start. I’m not making any excuses, I’m just keeping it real.”

After spending nearly 20 years at Racine St. Catherine’s, it should come as no surprise where Rideaux’s emphasis will be on the court.

“If you want to have a successful program, you have to play good defense,” Rideaux said. “The boys know that. That’s one thing I will do is preach tough defense.”

The Trojans begin practice on Nov. 16.