RAPID CITY - Paul Ferdinand is the new head football coach at Rapid City Stevens after being approved by the school board late Thursday night.

Ferdinand replaces Paul Miller, who guided the Raiders for two seasons compiling a 4-16 mark. Miller was let go in December.

Ferdinand works in the social science department at Stevens High School and was an assistant coach with the team under Miller.

His hiring comes with the Raiders in offseason preparation for the new season which begins with the first practice on Aug. 18 and the opening game of the 2008-09 season in Watertown on Aug. 30.

Ferdinand is taking over a team that has had its struggles over the years and has lost its last three meetings with cross-town rival Rapid City Central after winning the previous eight matchups.

The Raiders are coming off a 2-8 season in 2007 that saw the team drop seven straight games after a 2-1 start.

Repeated attempts to reach Ferdinand and Rapid City Stevens principal John Julius were unsuccessful.