The next coach of Wareham varsity boys basketball team will not be named Brogioli, but the program is still keeping it in the family.

Steve Faniel, junior varsity coach and assistant coach for Kevin Brogioli for the past seven years, was named as Brogioli's successor Tuesday, according to Wareham Athletic Director Ed Rodrigues.

"He knows the community well, he works hard and we're excited to have him," Rodrigues said.

"It's an honor, it's a pretty high profile position," Faniel said. "I just want to keep going with what coach Brogioli and his family started."

A native of Wareham, Faniel played for Kevin Brogioli in high school before going on to play football at Westfield State College. After college he returned to Wareham High School, where he teaches special education and coached under Brogioli.

"My biggest asset is that I got to watch one of the best coaches in the state for a while," Faniel said of Brogioli. "He set the standard pretty high."

Faniel understands, however, that even the best coaches have humble beginnings. Brogioli's first year as head coach in 1998 was Faniel's first year on the varsity team.

"I've seen him grow a lot over the years," Faniel said of Brogioli.

Faniel said the most important thing he learned from his former coach was his work ethic, to be prepared for every game every week, and to keep moving forward.

Faniel also said the job isn't just about winning basketball games, but about helping kids become successful adults.

"Basketball is a tool that can help kids off the court too," he said.

Faniel said the goal every year is to win the South Coast Conference title and make a deep run in the playoffs, and this year is no different.

"Some of these kids have seen this happen growing up in Wareham," Faniel said. "They want to start their own legacy and we'll be doing that together."