AKRON- Darin Holsopple has put a lot of planning and preparation into the day he would become a high school football head coach.

Holsopple will now get an opportunity to put his plan into motion after being approved as the new football coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School Monday night at the school board meeting.

Holsopple, who has spent the last 11 years as an assistant coach at Fairfield High School, replaces Scott Bibler. Bibler, who had been at Valley since 1990, resigned in June after coaching the Vikings last fall to pursue another job opportunity. Bibler also served as Valley’s head coach from 1990-2005 and was an assistant with the program before his second stint as head coach.

Holsopple, who played football and competed in track at both Fairfield and Manchester University,  is prepared for his first chance as the top man on the sidelines.

“This has been a dream and a desire of mine for quite a while and I’m truly excited to have this opportunity,” said Holsopple in a phone interview. “I’m thrilled.  I’ve been preparing to be a head coach for a long time. I want to be successful in anything that I do and I plan to continue to work hard to do that at Valley.”

Holsopple, according to Valley Athletic Director Duane Burkhart, was one of nine applicants for the position. Four of the candidates were interviewed and there were two strong finalists, according to Burkhart.

“Darin was highly recommended and comes to us with very good credentials as both a coach and a teacher,” said Burkhart. “We think that he has a good vision for the program and will be a good leader for us.”

Holsopple said that Valley felt like the right fit for him and his family, wife Darcy and three young daughters, Adelyn (8), Joya (6) and Emery (3).

“Being in the community there just felt great,” Holsopple said. “It’s very much like what I’m used to at Fairfield. I also really like the tradition for success that Valley football has had in the past. To step into a situation like that is exciting for me.”

Holsopple, a 1997 Fairfield graduate, played football for and coached the sport with Bob Miller in Benton.

“Fairfield is an awesome place and coach Miller taught me so much,” said Holsopple. “I had an awesome time there.”

Holsopple, who has also been the girls track coach at Fairfield,  puts much stock in family and faith in addition to football.

“You have to genuinely care and believe in your players,” said Holsopple of his philosophy. “You have to have them buy in to what you want to do to build a successful program.”

“The thing I want is for our players to grow into good young men, who care about their families and the community.”

Valley will need to hit the ground running under their new coach. The Vikings finished 1-9 in 2014, the worst season in program history. Practice for the 2015 season begins on Aug. 3.

“We want Darin to get our kids to buy in and be committed to the program,” noted Burkhart. “We want our kids to enjoy playing and have fun too. If those things happen, the wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

Holsopple, who will teach math at Valley as he did at Fairfield, is anxious to get his plan in place.

“I’ve done everything to prepare myself as far as watching film from last year and I know that coach Shriver (who was an assistant last year after serving as head coach prior to that) has been working with the kids,” said Holsopple. “We will be ready to go when practice starts and ready to go week one.

“I can’t wait to meet our guys on Wednesday and get going.”

Valley opens the 2015 season at Culver Academies on Aug. 21.