JEFFERSON TWP — Ten years ago when the athletic director job became open at Knoch High School, Mike King wasn't interested.

The timing wasn't right, he said.

A decade later, when Josh Shoop resigned to take the AD job at nearby Pine-Richland High School, King was ready.

“It was time in my career to seek out such a position,” King said.

King, who has been the Knights' football coach for 14 years, was hired by the South Butler School Board Tuesday to succeed Shoop.

King said he realizes he has some big shoes to fill.

“Josh Shoop was right for Knoch High School because his heart was in the right place,” King said. “Josh is a good friend of mine and we've developed a great relationship over the years. When he left, that was tough.

“I just want to carry on the rich tradition of athletics here, for every kid,” King added.

King played football at Knoch. His father coached the sport there and he is a 1982 graduate of the school.

In 1993 he returned to Knoch as a teacher.

That made him a logical choice for the job after an extensive interview process.

“I have dedicated 18 and a half years (to Knoch),” King said. “My kids go to school here. I went to school here. It's an exciting challenge.”

King has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the Knoch athletic program. He is also familiar with just about every coach in the building.

“I think when you are in one place for that long, you understand the dynamics of the district and what people need,” he said. “You have a structure in place, and a healthy one at that. Josh did an outstanding job. I don't have to rebuild the city, just make sure the show goes on.”

King will still coach the football team. Last year, he led the Knights to a 12-1 record and to a spot in the WPIAL Class AAA championship game against Montour, where Knoch fell 42-14.

He has a 66-76 career record as the Knights' football coach.

King said balancing his responsibilities on the football field and in the athletic director's office will be challenging.

“You can handle it in a couple of ways,” King said. “Get up a little bit earlier in the morning and stay a little bit later at night. Anything to get the job done.

“I've talked to my (football) staff about it. I told them they would have to carry a little bit more of the load and they looked at me and said, 'No problem,'” King added.

King is also prepared for the reality of high school sports these days.

Even just a few years ago, Knoch did not have the number of athletic programs it has now.

Knoch has 20 varsity sports.

“I think I have something to offer,” King said. “Kids these days dedicate an awful lot of time to their sports. I'm going to make sure every one of them gets what they need.”