Youngstown Christian names Bill Hoelzel girls basketball coach

A former serviceman and a 20-year police officer, Bill Hoelzel also has worked his way up the ranks to become a varsity basketball coach.

Hoelzel, a midnight sergeant with the Austintown Police Department, is Youngstown Christian’s new girls basketball varsity coach, replacing Tony LaGamba who is moving to Louisiana.

“He’s a very good tactician, a student of the game,” Youngstown Christian athletic director Dolph Carroll said. “We have all the confidence in the world in him.

“Most important to us is that he brings a Christian aspect,” said Carroll of Hoelzel. “That’s one of the biggest reasons [he was selected], it may be more important than anything.”

Last season, Hoelzel was Youngstown Christian’s JV coach and varsity assistant.