Valor Christian hires A.J. Kuhle to be its next boys basketball coach

Valor Christian has named A.J. Kuhle as its next boys basketball coach, the school announced on Tuesday.

His coaching experience includes one year at De La Salle (Calif.), where he led his team to the NorCal championship and the CIF Open Division final. He was also an assistant at Air Force, his alma mater, and the University of Denver.

“Coach Kuhle brings a zeal for reaching athletes for Christ through athletics, as well as a wealth of winning basketball experience, both playing and coaching,” Valor Christian athletic director Jamie Heiner said in a press release. “We truly look forward to the leadership of Coach Kuhle and we are excited about how he will use his coaching platform to impact the young men in our program for life.”

Kuhle played college basketball at Air Force in the early 2000s, helping the team win a Mountain West championship.

He called it “an incredible honor to join the Valor Family.”

“Great athletic traditions are something that have always resonated with me, and therefore, it is an incredible honor to join the Valor Family,” Kuhle said. “It’s what drew me to the Air Force Academy and inspired me to build winning programs at the University of Denver and De La Salle. The incredible tradition that echoes through the rafters and permeates throughout the Valor basketball program has drawn me to the Hilltop.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with amazing leadership in elevating a culture of excellence that will carry that tradition to new heights and bring honor to the school and the community.”

Kuhle replaces Troy Pachner, who spent four seasons at the school and was named the coach at Arapahoe on Tuesday.

Valor Christian went 11-13 last season in its first season in 5A, and advanced to the state tournament.