JEFFERSON TWP — The Shoop family crest is a basketball. The family business is stalking sidelines and sketching plays on a dry erase board.

"You eat, sleep and dream basketball at our house," said Jordan Shoop during his playing days at Knoch under his coaching father, Les. "We have a sign that says, 'We interrupt this marriage to bring you basketball.'"

The South Butler School Board brought another Shoop and Knoch hoops together Wednesday, approving the hire of Josh Shoop as the boys varsity basketball coach.

Shoop, who has served as the school's athletic director since 2003, takes over for Chris Andreassi, who coached the team for four seasons.

Like younger brother Jordan, Josh Shoop played for his father at Knoch, scoring 1,203 points before moving on to star at Indiana (Pa.) University.

"It means a lot to follow in my dad's footsteps," Josh Shoop said.

Josh Shoop coached basketball at Homer City for five years — two as the junior varsity coach and three as the varsity coach.

During his final season there, he took over for his father as Knoch's athletic director and served in both positions that winter.

"I put a lot of miles on the car," he said.

It was also the same season Les Shoop took the Knights to the WPIAL championship game and on a run in the state playoffs.

Jordan Shoop was the point guard on that Knoch team.

"What made it interesting was we were 3-12 (at Homer City) at one point," Josh Shoop said. "But we won 15 straight games, got to the District 6 finals. Then my father and Jordan made that run. It was a pretty crazy season."

It has always been a dream for Josh Shoop to coach basketball at Knoch.

"It's funny," Josh Shoop said. "Maybe you don't know how special it is until you are away from it."

Josh Shoop will face many challenges in his return to coaching.

Knoch is coming off three consecutive losing seasons, including a 9-12 campaign this year.

But as the athletic director, he has an advantage over other first-year coaches.

"I know these kids," he said. "The introduction will be easy."

And this Shoop, like his father, will stress defense above all else.

"I think one thing about Knoch basketball that is a constant is that the kids play hard," he said. "The effort has always been there. Something I will take from my father is defense. I like offense, but love it when five guys play as one on the court."

He won't be stealing his father's T-shirts any time soon, though.

During Les Shoop's years on the Knoch bench, the fan base donned creative T-shirts honoring their coach.

There were the "Shoop's Soldiers" years and the "Curly's Army" seasons when Les sported wavy locks.

"He earned those T-shirts," Josh Shoop said. "I have a lot of work to do before I get mine."