Jay Long's plan is simple.

The new head football coach at Black Hills State University wants to continue the tradition of success begun by his predecessor John Scott and take the Yellow Jackets to even better heights.

Long was named the BHSU head coach Monday after going though the interview process with the school's athletic director Jhett Albers and president Dr. Kay Schallenkamp.

"We were obviously a little sad when coach Scott made his decision, but I visited with my wife and decided to try for the position," Long said. "I met with coach Albers and he told me they were going to try to keep it in house because they were pleased with the program."

Long, who played football and wrestled at Sturgis High School and Chadron State College, gave credit to his high school wrestling coaches Tim Drone and Steve Keszler for shaping him into the coach he has become.

"Coach Drone instilled how you have to be physical … and coach Keszler always said that hard work solves every problem, which is the final sentence on the e-mail I sent out to all the players," Long said.

The biggest influence for Long - and the program he would most like to emulate - comes from current Chadron State head coach Bill O'Boyle. Boyle and the Eagles have become perennial football powers at the Division II level.

Long and Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator Pat Fackrell were the two candidates up for the job according to Albers. Long said he doesn't expect any changes to the coaching staff heading into the new season.

"As of now, all the coaches have been asked to stay in the same duties," said Long, who feels fortunate to get his first college head coaching job so close to his hometown.

Long was also the offensive line coach, running game coordinator and recruiting coordinator this past season. For now, Long said he plans on keeping those responsibilities, but when he meets with his coaching staff for the first time just after the New Year those responsibilities may shift.

The response to the hire has been overwhelmingly positive from Long's perspective.

"I have gotten a lot of positive responses from players, alumni and the community and I have become really good at texting," he said. "I am nervous to see what my cell (phone) bill will look like."

The new head coach will not have his first official meeting with the team until Jan. 15, but he already knows the message he intends to deliver.

"I want to assure them there isn't going to be a drastic changes and the expectations are not going to chance," Long said. "But I want the guys to know that I expect them to buckle down and continue hitting the books and the weights."

One of the main issues Scott brought up when he resigned the head coaching position was a frustration over the number of scholarships for the program. Long said he spoke with Dr. Schallenkamp about that during the interview process and was pleased with what he heard.

"There is a plan in place and I am comfortable with that," Long said. "We have won with what we have right now, and we want to continue to succeed in the conference and in the nation."

Long said he will benefit from having a solid nucleus back on offense starting with quarterback Drew Hodgs and running back Tanner Ehrlich.

"Recruiting is a focus right now and we are going to continue to recruit Midwestern kids that have a work ethic second to none," Long said.