CHERRY TWP — Jeff Campbell may be changing positions within the Moniteau football program, but he's hoping that success remains a constant.

Campbell, who served as the team's defensive coordinator for the last five seasons, was named head coach at the Moniteau School Board's monthly work session Monday evening.

He replaces Steve Wilson, who led the Warriors to a 27-26 record from 2002 to 2006. Wilson resigned following last season because of scheduling conflicts posed by a new job.

"It's been a wonderful experience for me, being part of Moniteau football the last five years," said Campbell. "I think the kids have been very receptive to my coaching style. I have a lot of good relationships with alumni and current players."

Wilson left Moniteau as the program's all-time winningest coach and is only the third coach in Warriors' history with a winning career record (Frank Herbenick and Lou Benko being the others).

"The program is headed up," said Campbell. "The kids have bought into the system that Coach Wilson started, and I just want to continue that."

Campbell, 44, is a 1982 graduate of Kittanning High School. He the director of buildings and grounds for the Moniteau School District.

The Warriors enter next season having made the District 9 Class AA playoffs five straight years.

Moniteau's best finish in that span was 2005, when the team made it to the district title game before losing to Brockway.

Campbell's defense has been a big reason for the team's recent success. And, at least for the 2007 season, he plans to serve as head coach and defensive coordinator.

"We run a 3-5 on defense, just like West Virginia University does," said Campbell. "It's the defense a lot of college teams are starting to run because they have a lack of big guys up front.

"We've got a lot of kids between 5-feet-8 and 5-11 and between 160 and 180 pounds," he added. "We want to be able to get those athletes on the field."

The Warriors are coming off a 6-5 season in 2006.

Despite some key losses, Campbell is excited about the 2007 campaign.

"Our kids hit the weight room about two weeks after last season ended," he said. "And we've got quite a few returning starters on offense.

"All the other assistant coaches are returning as well."