RUSTON, La. – Growing up in Vicksburg as a coach’s son, Chris Long would watch the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters highlight show on a Monroe television station and quickly realized what a big deal Techster basketball was.

On Friday, the 36-year-old Vicksburg native took the podium in front of 75 mostly longtime Tech supporters and assumed his spot in the history of one of the most successful basketball programs in the country.

Long was formally introduced as the fourth Lady Techsters’ coach in the 30-year history of the program.

“It’s a very exciting day and also a very emotional day,” said Long, a six-year assistant coach at the Ruston school. “You look out there and see so many people that have helped me get to this point and it’s a level of appreciation. This is a dream come true.”

Long will replace Kurt Budke, who left Tech almost two weeks ago to take the head coaching job at Oklahoma State.

It will mark his first head coaching job since leading the Vicksburg Missy Gators for two seasons in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

“He is a quality person, a quality coach and the right person to lead this program,” Tech athletic director Jim Oakes said. “Being a coach’s son, you know Chris was brought up in the right way.”

Long’s father, Ted, coached girls basketball at Warren Central and Long recalled being familiarized with the game from an early age. He played basketball for the Vikings, but at 5-foot, 7-inches, coaching was the obvious choice.

“Growing up with my dad as a coach, it was always something I wanted to do,” Long said. “As I got more involved with sports, it became something I really wanted to do.”

Long inherits a team that loses three seniors off a 20-win season and advanced to its 24th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

“We love him with all our hearts and are glad he is our coach,” said junior forward Tamika Kursh, who along with the rest of her teammates backed Long from the start. “He makes us all better as players.”

In addition to a deep, experienced team, Long inherits expectations of a program that rivals any in America for its successes.

The Techsters, along with Tennessee, are the only two programs to have played in all 24 NCAA Tournaments. The Techsters have played in 13 Final Fours and won three national championships.

The national titles came under Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore, who hired Long from Vicksburg High in 1999.

“I’ve always been very high on Chris from the moment I recruited Frierson,” said Barmore, who signed Catrina Frierson before a standout senior season. “I watched his teams play and I liked the way he ran things and ran his practices. He was my top candidate from the word go.”

Long becomes the youngest head coach in the history of the Tech program and Barmore let him aware of the work that goes into being a head coach.

“After this, I am going to watch the Masters,” said Barmore, who spoke before Long at the press conference. “Chris, don’t let me catch you watching the Masters.

“In five years or so, you will have time to watch the final hole on Sunday.”

Long said he will start working toward next season, even calling a Monday meeting while his players listened to the press conference.

“We have high expectations and are excited about the season,” senior guard Aarica Ray-Boyd said. “It should be a very good year.”