Peters re-enters coaching at ND

~ The former coach at Peoria (Ill.) Richwoods will take over the girls basketball program.

A new era in Notre Dame girls basketball began Tuesday as Renee Peters met with players and faculty and was introduced as the school's new basketball coach.

Peters takes over for Jerry Grim, who led the Bulldogs to a state title, five state final fours and more than 440 wins in 25 years at the helm. Grim presented Peters with a Notre Dame basketball as he turned over the reins of the program.

"I'm not looking to come in and match that," Peters said of Grim's legacy. "It's impossible. If anything, it motivates me. What he's established here is something we want to continue."

After taking about eight years off from coaching to spend time with her children, Peters is ready to get back into the game.

"It was such a major part of our lives before they were born," Peters said.

Peters previously coached for six seasons at Richwoods High School in Peoria, Ill. The Nashville, Ill., native started strong at the Class AA school, finishing with a 20-win season in her debut.

Peters and her family moved to Cape Girardeau after her husband received a job in the area following her departure from coaching. As an active family in the Catholic community in Cape Girardeau, Peters is familiar not only with Notre Dame but with some of its players from teaching she has done at St. Vincent de Paul.

"I know about the tradition, and I know the caliber of girls we have," Peters said. "I just knew this is where I wanted to be. I am Catholic, and to be able to coach at a Catholic high school is amazing."

Following a legendary Notre Dame coach will be a tough task, but the administration felt it had the right coach to lead the program.

"I think we've made the right choice, a good choice," Notre Dame athletic director Paul Hale said. "Many hours of research went into making the right choice. It wasn't a snap decision."

Not only did Peters' resume on the sidelines impress the school, but also her stature as a NCAA Division I basketball player. Peters played guard at Western Illinois.

Notre Dame fans can expect to see a team that gets out in transition and handles the ball well under Peters.

"Transition is a big part of the game," Peters said. "You want to mix up defenses. Just try to push the ball up the floor. Everyone needs to be able to handle the ball."