When Ryan Yarosik became an assistant boys basketball coach at Latrobe just over a decade ago, he was taken aback by the Wildcats’ rapid pace of play and frenzied style. It was the program’s signature under veteran coach Brad Wetzel.

“The first two games we scored 91 and 92 points,” Yarosik said. “I looked around and said, ‘Is this the norm?’”

For most of the next 11 years, it was. And it could continue to be for the foreseeable future now that Yarosik is the head coach of the Wildcats. He was promoted Tuesday.

The former Norwin and Slippery Rock guard replaces his program mentor, Wetzel, who led the Wildcats for 24 years before his resignation in April.

Yarosik was as logical a candidate as any. He doesn’t plan to change much, only tweak where necessary. If it isn’t broken …

“I have always taken a defensive approach (to coaching),” Yarosik said. “I have always come to Brad’s defense when people say we only focused on scoring. Our offense was our defense. That is what always got us going. I hope to find a happy mix.”

Wetzel’s impact on Yarosik is profound.

“I had the best seat in the house to watch one of the best in the business,” Yarosik said. “I am so grateful to have been able to coach with him. There was a moment where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to follow Brad. … I hope I can do the job justice.”

Latrobe did play a little slower last season with one of its tallest lineups. Four key players return, including rising seniors Dom Scarton and Alex Amond and rising juniors Mikey Monios and Ryan Linhart.

Latrobe was 10-13 and lost to Thomas Jefferson in the first round of the WPIAL 5A playoffs, 86-79.

“In two years, we’ll have a shot clock,” Yarosik said. “Last year, we played a little differently because of the size we had. I feel like we are a little bit ahead of the curve. I want to get back to our roots.”

This will be Yarosik’s second head-coaching venture. He guided the Penn-Trafford boys from 2008-15, also serving as an assistant there for two years.

The Warriors were 71-86, erasing a 10-year playoff drought in his first season. In his third year, they posted their first winning season in 12 years, and won their first section title in 13 years the next season.

Yarosik, 44, has been a health and physical education teacher at Penn-Trafford for 21 years.

Another thing that impresses him about Latrobe’s program is the wide-arcing circle of support. Latrobe has a serious following. Home games are often packed and raucous.

He wants to keep the volume turned up.

“So many alums,” he said. “They come back. They text. They follow the team. It’s amazing. The tradition here is so rich.

“I really just want to take it one day at a time.”

Yarosik plans to bring back two of Wetzel’s other assistants in Nick Bobula and Tom Pratt, as well as a new staffer.

Open gyms will begin next week, Yarosik said.