The administration at Richmond Senior High School made it official Wednesday when they announced David Laton was hired as the new men’s basketball coach.

The Hamlet native was thrilled about the opportunity to take over the program.

“This is kind of a dream come true for me,” Laton said. “This is home and I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to be able to coach the men’s team at Richmond.”

RSHS athletic director Hal Shuler said the school was fortunate to be able to turn to an experienced coach like Laton to fill the position.

“We are real excited to have David take over,” Shuler said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and has over 200 wins as a men’s coach.”

Laton was the women’s basketball coach last season, guiding the Lady Raiders to a 13-8 record and the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs. But Laton’s long resume has been coaching men.

Laton served as the head coach at West Forsyth for 10 seasons and led the Titans to four appearances in the state semifinals. New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is among his former players at West Forsyth.

Laton began his coaching career at Maryland as a graduate assistant under Lefty Driesell and worked at the U.S. Naval Academy when NBA Hall of Fame member David Robinson was there.

Laton admitted he has some work to do as Richmond has failed to produce a winning season since the 2004-05 season. Last season, under former coach David May, who coached Richmond for eight years before leaving to take over at Pine Forest, the Raiders finished 9-16 and missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

“The No. 1 thing everywhere I have been is to stress fundamentals,” Laton said. “We’re going to be known as a blue-collar program, and we’re looking for people that are going to run through a wall. The biggest thing I ask for is effort.”

Laton’s plan is to bring a fresh new system to the program.

“The things I want to see from my basketball team is getting back on defense, playing defense, blocking out and rebounding,” Laton said. “I also want us to run the fastbreak, execute our offense, get offensive rebounds and get second shot opportunities.”

According to Laton, he plans to hire former Raider coach Tom Baucom to serve as an assistant to help coach the fastbreak and keep Donald Pettigrew on as the junior varsity boys’ basketball coach.

Laton added Richmond will begin open gym on Sept. 16.

With Laton sliding over to take the men’s position, Shuler said the search will begin for women’s coach. However, Shuler admitted it may be difficult to find a suitable replacement with the school year already started.

“We are going to open it up and see what is out there,” he said. “We have to find someone by the beginning of next month, because the season begins at the end of October.”