GERMANTOWN — Kris Ketron welcomes the challenge of being a rookie high school head football coach. That it also comes with the pressurized and unenviable task of following Jay Niswonger at Valley View is a bonus.

“That makes it exciting,” said Ketron, who recently was approved for the head coaching position by the school board. “You don’t want to be at a place that nobody cares.”

Ketron’s appointment is at least the 13th change of an area head coach since last season. It also will be among the most scrutinized.

Niswonger was among the deans of area coaches. He patrolled the Spartans’ sideline for 29 mostly memorable seasons. None was better than a run of three state title teams in four seasons in the mid-1990s.

If Ketron can return the Spartans to anything close to that, it’ll be a victory. Valley View uncharacteristically dipped to 2-8 last season. Four losses were by single digits.

Soon afterward, Niswonger resigned as the school’s dual coach/athletic director. He has since landed as a Wilmington College assistant football coach.

Ketron has spent three seasons as a Valley View assistant, including two as defensive coordinator. He returned to the University of Dayton, where he played, as an assistant last season.

“It’s a different situation when you’re the guy following THE guy,” Ketron said of Niswonger. “Those are big shoes to fill.

“We’re not going to do away with all the great traditions that have been here and helped these guys be successful, but obviously we’ve got to take a step and put in some new program ideas and things and hopefully those are positive, too.”

A 1999 Tri-County North grad, Ketron played defensive end at UD. He’ll coach linebackers and serve as defensive coordinator. He’ll teach social studies at the high school.

Longtime Spartans assistant Bob Skidmore is expected to return as offensive coordinator. Also, Denny Good, defensive coordinator for the title teams, will likely move back to the varsity from the middle school program.

Ketron will make his Spartans debut in the Aug. 24 season opener at Welcome Stadium against Dunbar.

“It’s a great fit for me,” he said. “I’m thrilled with the chance to come back.”