Former Kalaheo assistant coach Wally Marciel is the new boys basketball coach at the Academy of the Pacific.

Marciel spent 20 years under Pete Smith as a varsity assistant and junior-varsity head coach. He was a finalist recently for the head varsity position at Kalaheo, which eventually went to Chic Hess, who coached AOP last season.

Marciel wouldn't comment on the Kalaheo coaching job, which was vacated yesterday by Hess. The two were the only finalists for the position, and Marciel would only say that he intends to fulfill his commitment to AOP.

“;My word is with AOP and their principal (Kate Kortschak),”; he said.

Kalaheo interim athletic director Mark Brilhante confirmed Hess' departure.

“;He left for personal reasons and he's going to pursue other interests,”; said Brilhante, who spoke with Marciel after Hess resigned.

The long-shot possibility of former Kalaheo standout Alika Smith, son of Pete Smith, returning to the Mustangs is just a no-shot.

“;I'm very happy and satisfied at Punahou,”; said Smith, who recently completed his first season as head coach of the Buffanblu.

Marciel took a five-year break from coaching to watch sons Wally Jr. and Kela play sports at 'Iolani. He is also involved with the Hawaii Select basketball program, which includes Dolphins guard Micah Dunhour, one of the state's top juniors last season.

“;When I didn't get the job at Kalaheo, I went off to the mainland to watch Wally (Jr.) play for a week and a half. Then Ryan (AOP AD Hogue) called and offered it to me,”; Marciel said. “;That school reminds me of Maryknoll 30 years ago. The more I thought about it, talking about it with my wife, I got more and more excited about it.”;

Hogue, another former Kalaheo assistant, noted that the team is considering a move up to Division I next season. The team went 15-3 and reached the Division II state semifinal round.

AOP will start its own preseason tournament and will play in Moanalua's tourney. If it moves up to D-I, the option to play in the 'Iolani Classic is there, too. Why would a school as small as AOP move up to D-I?

“;You're playing in one of the best leagues in the state, playing the Punahous, the 'Iolanis. You may not make the state tournament, but so long as you're competitive, that's the main thing,”; Marciel said. “;Being in D-II last year kind of got some excitement in the school.”;

The team had a transfer from Germany, Simon Koch, who will not be back next season. Marciel wouldn't comment on the possibility of more foreign student-athletes coming to AOP's campus in Alewa Heights.

“;If Ryan and I run a solid program, the kids will come,”; Marciel said, noting that Hogue will continue to assist. Former Kalaheo guard Levon Freeman will also join the staff.

“;Ryan is one of the top local coaches in the state right now. We've got a good thing going with us three guys,”; Marciel said. “;Our roots go through Pete Smith and I just want to apply what I learned from Pete and Chico Furtado. That was good stuff.”;