Ric Block was working closely with Johnstown-Monroe High School athletics director Mike Carter to hire a wrestling coach since school ended in June.

The two found a few strong candidates, but they all wanted a teaching job to accompany the wrestling position. However, there wasn't a teaching position open and Carter looked to Block, asking if the assistant coach would be interested in leading the Johnnies.

The rest took its course last Monday at the school board meeting when Block was approved as the program's new coach.

"I encouraged Ric to apply because he has a great interest in the program and he's learned a lot from coaches all over the United States," Carter said. "He really was the best guy for the job. He has a passion for the kids and he'll work to keep the program going forward."

Coaches want a position because they have a son participating in a program, but that's not the case with Block. His son, 2009 graduate Chris Block, is competing at Cumberland (Ky.) College after finishing fifth at 140 pounds in the Division III state tournament last year and seventh at 135 in 2007. He set program records for career wins (176) and wins in a season, going 56-2 as a senior.

"I was involved with the program for the last six seasons with coach (Brad) Todd and learned so much," said coach Block, who is an electrician. "Coach Carter and I got together in the fall trying to figure out the options for the program and he talked me into applying for the position."

Last year, the Johnnies finished second in the seven-team MBC tournament at Utica with 236.5 points, behind Loudonville (246), which won its fifth consecutive league title.

Chris Block and 135-pound classmate Keith Tanner were state-qualifiers for the Johnnies with Tanner finishing eighth. Senior Scott Robinson was an alternate for state at 145 after taking fifth in the district at Steubenville.

"We're going to be young with Scott Robinson back to lead us," said coach Block, who will be assisted by Jared Writesel, Joe Revetti and Don Contini, a former coach with the program. "We'll be pretty much going through the ABCs of wrestling with such a young group."

Todd left the program after four seasons. He is a teacher at New Albany Elementary and the addition of a third child to his family in April added to an already taxing schedule.

"(Ric) is a good man and he's been a mainstay of the program for a while now," Carter said. "He's been busy behind the scenes and helping the program to grow. I'm glad this opportunity came his way and I know he'll do well in the position."

But coach Block does have one wrinkle in his hiring -- being able to watch his other son, senior Shawn Block, play on the Johnstown basketball team.

"It's going to be a challenge, but I'm going to try to work things out to where I can be at all of his games," said coach Block of Shawn, a returning starter at forward for the Johnnies after averaging 5.2 points and 3.1 rebounds last season. "It's his senior year and I want to be there to support him as much as I can."