Lenny Krebs is excited about taking over as the new Warsaw girls basketball coach (File photo by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – Lenny Krebs is a man of faith, family and character.

All those important ingredients were a factor as he decided to make a coaching move to take over as the leader of the Warsaw girls basketball program.

Krebs, who has spent the past 14 years as the girls basketball coach at Goshen High School, is no stranger to the Warsaw community. The former Fairfield High School standout finished his collegiate career as an outstanding player for Grace College.

“This came down to a move we felt was best for our family,” said Krebs, who was hired as the new Warsaw coach earlier this week. “Having gone to Grace College, I am familiar with the Warsaw community and the many wonderful things it has to offer. Obviously the Warsaw girls basketball program has an amazing tradition and I am honored to be a part of that. Once this process started, it seemed that God continued to open doors that lead to this opportunity. While we are definitely sad to be closing one chapter of our life, we are excited to get to know the students, athletes, and members of this great community.”

Krebs takes over a program rich in tradition. The Warsaw program has won 17 sectional titles, seven regional crowns, four semistate championships and state titles in 1976 and 1978. Krebs replaces Michelle Harter, who resigned after nine seasons as head coach last month to pursue college coaching opportunities. Harter was 136-70, including a 20-4 mark this past season. Warsaw graduates six seniors with a ton of experience the past three seasons, including top players Dayton Groninger and Madi Graham.

“Warsaw is a program with a very rich tradition,” Krebs remarked. “We are going to continue that tradition and in the process we are also going to build a culture of excellence in everything we do. Warsaw is losing a majority of their scoring and rebounding from last year in this year’s graduating seniors. However, I have no doubt the returning players as well as the younger kids will work hard to continue the amazing tradition. I am looking forward to getting to know the young ladies in the program and help them achieve the greatness they have within them.”

Krebs began his coaching career as the sixth grade boys basketball coach at Woodview Elementary School in Nappanee in 1996. He later served as the junior varsity coach for Hall of Famer Steve Neff in the NorthWood High School girls program.

Krebs is all about the total experience for his student athletes.

“We are going to work hard and get better every time we step on the floor,” stated Krebs. “We are going to learn to play together and compete in practice as well as in games. We are also going to build positive relationships with each other and learn to love each other.

“I am a very process driven person. I like to focus on improvement and development…being better today than we were yesterday. I feel if we do that, the results will take care of themselves. I have no doubt the team we put on the floor at sectional will be a much improved version of the team we put on the floor at the beginning of the year.”

Krebs and his wife Angela and three children, Ashton, Kacilyn and Karson, plan to move to Warsaw. Krebs will be teaching in the WCS school system starting in the fall.

“I am so thankful for the Goshen Community School System and the chance they gave me to become a head coach.” noted Krebs. “I will always have a special place in my heart for the many people involved in that journey. I would like to thank the administration for the opportunity to coach at GHS. Mr. Kissinger, Dr. Younghans and multiple others have made me a much better person and coach.

“I would also like to thank the Warsaw administration for their belief in me and allowing me the opportunity to be the next leader of the Warsaw Girls Basketball program. I would like to thank Dr. Hoffert, Mr. Akers, Mr. Anson, the school board and everyone else involved in the process for this opportunity.”