ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Ryan Clifford definitely considers himself one of the lucky ones.

He realizes that not everyone is blessed enough to get an opportunity to have their dream job.

After this morning’s St. Clairsville Board of Education meeting, Clifford officially will trade his first dream job for his second.

Clifford — by a 5-0 vote — was approved as the new head boys basketball coach, replacing his father, Kim, whom he had served under for the last 17 years.

“Getting to coach with my dad for 17 years as about as enjoyable as it could get and now getting the chance to be the coach of the (basketball) program at my alma mater is just as exciting,” Clifford said.

Kim Clifford submitted his formal retirement letter last month and St. Clairsville administration — Superintedent/Principal Walt Skaggs and Athletics Director Kelly Rine — wasted no time in making Clifford the choice as the next head coach.

“The last month has been a roller coaster of emotions,” Clifford said. “This winter will be the first time in my life that I won’t be going to one of my dad’s game.”

Stability has been the name of the game for Red Devils’ athletics, who have been successful across the entire sports landscape. Clifford’s retirement is the first coaching change in either football, basketball or baseball since Ryan Clifford has worked at his alma mater.

“(St. Clairsville) is a fantastic place to work,” Clifford said. “We have a fantastic administration and school board. They have faith in their coaches and let them coach. The community is supportive and we have good kids. It’s just a good place to be.”

Ryan Clifford, who cut his coaching teeth under his dad before taking a job as an assistant under Sam Twardoski at St. John Central, was still surprised that his father officially stepped away from the program that he’s built into one of the valley and state’s most respected.

“The joke in our house has been that my dad has been year-to-year (about his future) for about the last 15 years,” Ryan laughed. “I know this past season took a lot out of him with different things. He seemed tired at the end of the season, but it was still surprising.”

Though Ryan learned the game from and worked under his dad for many years, he and his dad are different people. To hear him tell it, they have some “philosophical differences” on both ends of the floors.

“Anyone who sat near our bench (during games) knows that my dad and I didn’t always agree on everything,” Clifford smiled. “I am going to put my own stamp on things, but there will be a lot of similarities, too.”

Knowing that he has his dad as a sounding board and even critic at times is something that Ryan is happy about, too.

“I’d be crazy not to lean on him,” Ryan said. “Having that much experience just a phone call away is nice. I know he wants to step back, but I’d be nuts not to lean on him.”

Ryan admitted that there are some nerves as he ventures into his first foray as a head coach.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” Ryan said. “I am sure I will be nervous that first practice and then again for the first game. But, it’s a good nervous. I am excited and ready to go. I actually wish it was tomorrow.”

Ryan will have to wait a bit longer to begin officially, but summer workouts are just around the corner. Since he’s been verbally hired, he’s been working on the summer schedule for his team, which is coming off a 12-11 campaign, which ended in the first roun of the Division II sectional to Indian Creek.

“The cupboard isn’t bare,” Clifford said. “We’ll have a lot of the same guys playing and a lot of the same guys coaching. There will be some tweaks here and there, but, for the most part, it will look similar.”

Ryan, who just turned 40 last week, graduated from St. Clairsville in 1996. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Ohio University and has a masters in cirriculum from the University of Phoenix. Prior to landing a teaching job at St. Clairsville, he spent a year on the faculty at Zanesville High School.

Along with coaching basketball, Ryan has also spent the last 17 seasons working under Brett McLean with the Red Devils football program. That’s a role he intends to continue — at least for the 2018 campaign.

“Coach McLean has been great since this news (of me getting the basketball job) came out,” Ryan said. “I enjoy coaching football — both the kids and with the other coaches. But, (basketball) is my priority now. I hope it works out. It will for one more year, at least.”

Though roles have officially yet to be determined, Ryan expects long-time assistant Kevin Sacco back. He’ll either continue as the jayvee coach or elevate into the role Ryan held as varsity assistant. However, a search for an additional varsity-level coach is still ongoing.

“I have some things in mind and I am hoping they work out,” Clifford said. “Without anything being official, I can’t get too much into (the coaching staff).”

Ryan did point out that his number one assistant — and supporter — is officially on board. That being his wife, Jenn. The couple also has two children, Kaden (10) and Kolby (8).

“My wife and family are a huge part of this,” Ryan said. “My sits behind the bench and occassionally disagrees with the referees. She may even disagree with the coach at times.”