Former BYU-Hawaii coach Chic Hess confirmed yesterday that he has accepted the varsity boys basketball coaching position at Kalaheo High School.

Hess, 66, succeeds Chico Furtado, who retired after last season. Longtime junior varsity coach Walter Marciel was also in the running for the position.

Hess coached at Academy of the Pacific last season, leading the Dolphins to an 18-13 overall record. They reached the semifinals of the Division II state championships.

“;I have tremendous mixed feelings about leaving AOP,”; said Hess, a retired physical education and health teacher at Kailua Intermediate School. “;AOP's a secret. A wonderful campus, small classes.”;

It's the second departure by a boys basketball coach at AOP in two years. Last year, Alika Smith left to take over at Punahou. Hess will miss working with athletic director Ryan Hogue, a former Kalaheo basketball standout.

“;Ryan is a gem to work with. The people who work there were gems,”; Hess said.

The presence of a former college coach at Kalaheo doesn't necessarily mean a pipeline of transfers to the school is opening. Current AOP star Micah Dunhour, for example, blossomed under the tutelage of Hess this season after playing for Hawaii Select last summer — under Hogue.

“;I'd never take one of Ryan's players,”; Hess said. “;Micah's a great kid, but I'm not going to go out there and take anyone.”;

Hess hopes Marciel considers remaining in the program.

“;I would like him to be here. I really, really would like him to. The door's wide open. He's a great man in the community and a good coach,”; said Hess, whose son, Steve, played for Pete Smith at Kalaheo.

Hess' wife, Linda, teaches at Kalaheo.

There is no word yet on whether Kalaheo's annual summer league will be back.

“;I'm not sure what's going on yet, but I hope everyone involved stays,”; Hess said.