The wait is over for Delta Charter School.

DCS principal Buddy Givens introduced Blake Wheeler to the Storm football team as the school’s new head coach Wednesday in the gymnasium.

Wheeler, hired for his first head coaching position, comes from Rayville High School where he has served as the offensive coordinator for the past two years.

“It’s exciting and humbling,” Wheeler said. “I’m really thankful for the opportunity, and it’s one of those things that I plan to take full advantage of.”

Wheeler said he is expecting to finish at Rayville sometime next week, and has plans to move to Ferriday quickly with his wife, Hannah, daughter, Addison, 9, and son Nathan, 6.

Wheeler is replacing one-year coach Zach Rogel, who left the school in mid-April for family reasons.

The Storm finished last season with a record of 4-9, and to improve next season, it all starts in the weight room, Wheeler said.

“I believe a lot of your team’s chemistry and leadership are built in the weight room and that transitions to the football field,” he said. “I want hard work and dedication.”

Wheeler also said since Delta Charter is just four years old, he is excited to build on to the program.

“Winning attracts people,” he said. “Whenever you get a good thing going, people will start asking questions, and they want to know what’s going on. I think if we want to sell ourselves in the community, we have to show that we are where kids can come and be successful and we will compete at a high level.”

Givens said of the around 50 applicants, DCS interviewed 13 and had narrowed the search to a final five.

“It was really tough to chose, but he had the intangibles and magnet quality,” Givens said. “He will draw people to him, and to the program, and I think he is a quality guy. He is more than just a coach and he can help us in many areas.”

Before Rayville, Wheeler was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Franklin Parish High School from 2010 to 2014.

Wheeler said he plans to have spring football practice started by May 15.

“This is home now, and I’m ready to build this place up,” he said.