Steve Wright paid his dues coaching boys basketball at Edwardsburg High School. The 31-year old Wright was the Eddies junior varsity coach the last six years and the freshman coach for a year.

In May, Wright was rewarded for the dedication, loyalty and hard work that he has displayed. Wright was hired to replace Dan Gunn as the varsity boys basketball coach at Edwardsburg. Gunn retired as a coach and teacher at Edwardsburg.

“I’m very excited and honored that they’re giving me a shot at this position,” said Wright. “I’m ready to get started as soon as possible.”

Edwardsburg High School athletic director Kevin Dean said that there were 20 candidates for the job and that six of them were given interviews.

“(Wright) was the JV coach and he worked under Dan Gunn the last five years,” said Dean. “He’s earned his stripes and the kids know him. It’s a good fit.”

Wright, who compiled a 74-45 record as the Eddies JV coach, has certain expectations for his players.

“I want the kids to work hard, be good students, be there for each other and be a team,” Wright said. “I want kids who love the game and are accountable.”

Wright has been a basketball coach and teacher at Edwardsburg since he graduated from Western Michigan University.

He learned a lot working under previous head coaches Jeff Kozinski, Steve Austin and Gunn.

“It was good in so many ways,” Wright said about working with that trio. “Under Steve, we developed a summer program, which is so important. “Steve also has a very good offensive mind. Dan taught me defensive things and in my first year I worked with Jeff and learned so much. I’ve been blessed to work under some great people.”

Wright is taking over a program that has had four straight winning seasons. The Eddies finished 15-6 last year.

Edwardsburg has to replace all five starters from last year’s team, including Central Michigan recruit Josh Kozinski.

“We’ll be young and we have some big shoes to fill,” Wright said. “I’ll evaluate the team now and, hopefully, everything comes together in November.

“We do have a nice group of kids coming back and I know they’ll give everything they have. I just want to try to keep things rolling.”