Adam Slopek was officially approved as head football coach at Springfield Wednesday.

Slopek has been an assistant on the Tigers' staff for 20 seasons and becomes a first-time head coach.

"It's all about the kids, they're really the reason why I wanted the job in the first place," said Slopek.

A number of Springfield football players attended Wednesday's board meeting to support their new head coach.

"I almost choked up a little bit, that's really who it's all about," said Slopek.

He continued, "It's about what they can do in the future to make the community proud which I'm sure that we will."

Slopek takes over for Sean Guerriero who became the district's athletic director after 18 years of leading the Tigers program.