A Class 4A program in Huntsville found its boys basketball coach in Tennessee.

Westminster Christian has hired Zach Dragoo to lead its boys basketball program, the school announced on Thursday.

Dragoo comes from Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences, where he spent 21 years overall and the last 5 as the boys basketball coach.

During his tenure at the Tennessee school, he won 154 games, nine district tournament championships and two region championships.

His teams made nine sectional appearances and three state tournament appearances finishing as the state runner-up one season.

Before getting into coaching, he played college basketball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he played for head coach Jeff Lebo and former UAH coach John Shulman, now leading the program at Central Arkansas.

Dragoo is excited about the opportunity to take over the boys basketball program at Westminster but has always been inspired to help build the character and determination of his teams through his faith.

“I had a chance to go with coach Lebo as a student assistant when he left for Auburn, but I knew I wanted to get into coaching, wanted to influence young men and show them Christ and help them and disciple them for Christ, so I decided to coach high school basketball”, he said. “People have asked me in the past, How good is your team going to be?’ I like to say, ‘Ask me in 20 years after these guys are husbands and fathers.‘”

Dragoo is taking over a Westminster squad that finished runner-up to Madison Academy in Class 4A, Area 15 last season and returns three starters: Maks Leatherwood, Reid Kaufman and Jameer Battle, along with sixth man Brady Wilson.

The Wildcats have played in 11 straight area finals, winning seven of those; Westminster claimed the Class 4A state championship in 2016 and finished as the 4A runner-up to Jacksonville in 2023 under legendary coach Ronnie Stapler.

Dragoo is looking forward to being a part of the rich basketball history both at Westminster Christian and in the Huntsville area, eager to get to know the coaches.

“It’s going to be exciting learning the tendencies of coaches I don’t know,” he said. ”In Chattanooga, I had a good idea of what to expect after a timeout or sideline inbounds play what’s going to happen. But, it’s going to be fun and a challenge for sure.”

While playing for the Mocs at UTC, Dragoo made a lasting impression on the coaching staff, including current Central Arkansas head coach John Shulman.

“Zach played for me at UTC and Zach has been a staple of Chattanooga basketball for a long time,” Shulman told AL.com. “His coaching and how he lives through his faith make him an incredible fit at Westminster Christian Academy. He can coach, he loves people, he loves his faith and lives his faith. Westminster has an elite basketball program, and Zach will be a great addition to it.”

Zach is married to his wife Ali Dragoo and has three children, who will become part of the Westminster Christian family in the fall.