PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – Prestonsburg High School announced Tuesday that Shawn Hager has been named the school’s new boys head basketball coach.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to be part of the Blackcat basketball program,” Hager said. “I am looking forward to getting started and working with the players.”

As a player, Hager won three regional championships during his high school career, later going on to Alice Lloyd College to help lead the Eagles to four consecutive national tournament appearances.

And this won’t be Hager’s first time on the sidelines; he has already helped lead the Blackcats as interim head coach to a 58th District Championship.

Prestonsburg’s principal, Brandon Kidd, said Hager now brings all that experience to the table for the future of the school’s boys basketball program.

“We are excited to name Shawn as our new head coach here at PHS,” Kidd said. “Shawn brings a lot of experience and knowledge to our program. I am excited to watch our boys basketball program continue to grow both on and off the court.”

The school added Tuesday that Hager brings outstanding leadership, passion, and a clear vision for the future of the program, not only focusing on a winning tradition but also character, accountability, and growth.

“Coach Hager is not only a great basketball mind, but an even better person,” the school’s athletic director Tony Pacheco said. “He’s a godly man who understands the game and the impact a coach can have on young people. We are excited to have someone with his character, leadership, and passion guiding our student-athletes and representing Blackcat Nation.”