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FALCONER - After spending a few days with his girls basketball team at a camp hosted by Houghton College, Falconer Central School's Mike Ginestre returned on Wednesday to switch gears and prepare for a new season, with a new job title - varsity football head coach.

Ginestre succeeds Dan Krenzer, who posted a 43-33 record in eight seasons at the helm, including a trip to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship game in 2006.

''I'm excited and very happy to get it going,'' Ginestre said. ''We've been in the weight room and I've been around the kids a lot. The opportunity came and I jumped on it. It's something I have always wanted to do and I'm excited with the group of kids we have.''

Ginestre's goals for his team extend beyond his expectations of his guys on the field. He sees a much bigger picture.

''I just want every kid to experience success, on and off the field,'' he said. ''Our community has been very supportive of the Falconer football program and it's important our players represent the community well. I want to create opportunities for them, on and off the field.''

As for his credentials to coach the team, his experience speaks for itself.

Ginestre played football for 15 years until he hung up the cleats for good after his college playing days were over. Last season he was an assistant under Krenzer.

Now the program is his.

The St. John Fisher College graduate played center for three years on the football team. Ginestre will likely be using some of his former playing experience to coach up the young line he inherits at Falconer this fall.

''We're going to have a senior-laden backfield, but we'll be young on the offensive and defensive lines,'' Ginestre said. ''We'll have to bring them up to speed with what we want to do. Our practices are going to be high intensity.''

Ginestre is expecting his high-intensity practices to translate to high-intensity performances on game day. Over the summer, the first-year coach has been meeting regularly with his assistants, trying to be thorough and making sure they're all on the same page.

Since he started teaching at Falconer Central School, Ginestre has coveted the position of head football coach. Although he's added football to his to-do list, he's not giving up on his duties as varsity girls basketball coach, by any means, which was validated by taking his team to a camp out of town for several days.

He truly is committed to bringing success to Falconer athletics. Alongside new athletic director Dave Nelson, who was hired on July 1 to take over for retiree Mike McElheny, the future of Falconer sports is a bright one.

However, the commitment to excellence can't just come from the administration.

Ginestre will also be looking for a certain level of commitment from his football players this fall.

''I've been meeting a lot with my assistant coaches,'' Ginestre added. ''We're going to be tough on the kids, we're going to utilize the talents we have and practices are going to be intense.''

As for the style of play, the head coach is hoping for something that the fans will appreciate.

''Football is a great sport. I believe in playing fast, hard-nosed and aggressive football,'' Ginestre explained. ''I want a defense that creates turnovers and I want to play a fast style I've become accustomed to.''

It sounds exciting, and knowing Ginestre, the fans in the stands are as important to him as his players on the field.

''We want to have our stadium filled every week,'' Ginestre said. ''We want the community to be proud of what we're doing on the field. That's something that's going to be big for us.''