Fernholz to replace Stekel as Logan boys basketball coach - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

La Crosse, WISCONSIN (WXOW)  An unexpected shake-up for the Logan boys basketball program.

Head coach Joe Stekel is out and being replaced by his assistant Andy Fernholz.

His dismissal is more a policy issue than a performance one.

Stekel does not work in the La Crosse school district.

So district policy requires his job to be posted each year.

According to Stekel, Fernholz was recently hired as a teacher in the La Crosse district and applied for the Rangers head coaching job. 

Policy dictates that preference be given to school district teachers when it comes to coaching jobs.

It was a jolt to Stekel, who told WXOW tonight he was surprised and disappointed by the news.

Stekel spent one season as the Rangers head coach leading them to an 11-13 record.

He spent 4 years as an assistant at Logan before that.

Fernholz spent last season as an assistant under Stekel.

He's a former Aquinas star player and also was an assistant for the Blugolds.

The official announcement happens Thursday.