Two prominent boys basketball programs in Alabama have new coaches.

Westminster Christian announced the hiring of Kendrick Epps last week, while Faith Academy hired Joseph Nieves.

Epps replaces Hall of Fame coach Ronnie Stapler, who retired after leading his team to the 4A state championship game. Nieves replaces Chad Applin, who is expected to be approved as the new coach at Spanish Fort.

Epps, a long-time assistant for Stapler, will look to import the same high standards for his team on and off the court.

“We will be teaching these kids basketball, but also how to be good teammates and good people,” he said. “Coach Stapler built a program here that is known for great basketball, but also for being good people and understanding it’s all about the glory of God. I want these kids to go on from here and do great things life, remembering the lessons learned here.”

Epps plans on being visible in the community, holding worship nights with his team at different churches. He wants his players to see him outside of the gym.

Epps played for Stapler at Grissom High before graduating in 1993 and went on to Auburn University to get a degree in business. His coaching career began in 2000 when Stapler called and said he was looking for an assistant.

“I told him I didn’t know anybody, and he said he was talking about me,” Epps said.

Epps also founded the Madison County Warriors in 2007, a grassroots youth program that helped many students. He has been an assistant for 10 years with Stapler, helping to guide the Wildcats to six area titles, four Final Four appearances and one state championship in 2016.

When asked about his style of play, Epps said he’s cut from the same cloth as Stapler. Defense will be at a premium.

The Wildcats return two-time 4A All-State player in 6-foot-6 guard senior Chase McCarty, who has scholarship offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Gonzaga, Houston, Oklahoma, Cincinnati among others. Other returning players include junior Kaden Rickard, seniors Lawson Collier and Kyle Everleth and sophomore Isaiah Cleaves.

Nieves comes to Faith from Pace, Fla.

He started the basketball program at L.E.A.D. Academy. In three years as the head coach, the team won an East Regional championship.

“We are really excited to welcome coach Nieves,” Faith Academy athletic director Woodie Head said. “He’s a strong Christian No. 1, and that is most important to us. He also has a lot of good connections at the college level.

“He started the program from scratch at L.E.A.D. and built it up quickly. He emphasizes discipline, which is important to us. We feel like he is the right guy to come in and continue to take our program where it needs to be.”

Prior to behind at L.E.A.D, Nieves spent time at Heritage Christian and Gateway High Schools. He graduated from Liberty University.

Head said Nieves would hold tryouts for the 2023-2024 team Tuesday and Wednesday.