WELLSVILLE — A familiar face is returning the Wellsville boys basketball bench.

After being a head coach the last 21 seasons — 19 with the boys and the last two with the girls — David “Bug” Thompson will be an assistant coach for the Wellsville boys this fall.

“Coach Thompson has always led with integrity, passion, and heart,” athletic director Kyle Exline posted Tuesday on Facebook. “And while the title may be changing, his presence, wisdom, and love for the game will continue to shape the future of Wellsville basketball.”

Thompson finished with a 322-128 record in 19 seasons as the boys head coach, including consecutive Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference championships his last two seasons. He averaged 17 wins a season with a .716 winning percentage.

He was 24-24 in two seasons as the girls head coach.

The move was a mutual decision and may be a sign of the future of the girls basketball program, although Exline said the school intends to have a girls team this fall.

“Although low in numbers, we should be able to field a team,” Exline said. “At no point was this a no confidence or non-renwal (of Thompson).”

The Tigers almost didn’t have enough players for a team this past season. The Wellsville girls graduate four of their seven players. Thompson’s granddaugher is one of the three returnees.

Exline said the school is taking applications for the girls vacancy until the position is filled.

Thompson and Lonnie Fields will be assisting Nate Scott, who is 20-25 in his two seasons as the boys head coach.