SAXONBURG — The timing, opportunity and location all worked for Frank Whalen.

After 30 years of coaching, he is becoming a head football coach for the first time as a result.

Whalen, 52, was hired Tuesday night as head coach at Knoch. He replaces Mike King, who resigned after his 19th season this past fall.

Whalen coached under King from 2008-14 and was his defensive coordinator for five years.

“Mike and I are good friends,” Whalen said. “I’m humbled to be replacing him as head coach. I know the kids there and look forward to working with them again.”

A Valley High School graduate, Whalen spent the past two seasons as offensive and defensive line coach at alma mater Geneva College. He began his coaching career with a two-year stint at Shippensburg University as defensive line and assistant strength coach.

In between the college gigs, Whalen coached at two high schools in Virginia along with Valley, Hempfield and Knoch in the WPIAL.

He lives in Saxonburg. Two sons — Jonathan and Sam — were outstanding nose guards at Knoch, the same position Whalen played in college.

“I work in sales for a medical company and my office is in my home,” Whalen said. “Because of my work schedule, the only way I could be a head coach was if the job was in my backyard.

“Mike resigned and I applied for it. It was an extensive interview process, three rounds. They did a good job in reviewing the candidates.”

Knoch athletic director Kurt Reiser said 15 people applied for the position and that Whalen “really stood out in the interviews.”

“I like the vision he laid out for Knoch football and his familiarity with the program,” Reiser added. “The transition should go very smoothly.”

Knoch’s defense was ranked among the top five in WPIAL Class AAA in four of Whalen’s five years as defensive coordinator of the Knights. He served in that role when Knoch advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA title game in 2011.

“We’ll be going back to the odd-stack defense that worked well for us when I was here before,” Whalen said. “We’re putting in the flex-bone offense, too, like McKeesport runs and Indiana used to run.

“I’m meeting with all of the assistant coaches this weekend. Anyone on the staff last year will be at this meeting. If they want to come back, I’d love to have them all back. We’ll see what positions are available and go from there.”

The Knights are coming off a 2-7 season. Knoch was 86-103 with eight WPIAL playoff appearances over King’s 19 years.

“I know how happy Frank is to be coming back — and we’re happy to get him back,” Reiser said. “He is a quality coach with plenty of experience.”

Whalen acknowledged such enthusiasm.

“I am excited about the opportunity and can’t wait to get started,” he said.