When Justin Ainsworth accepted the head football coaching job at Marshfield on Friday night, he knew he was stepping into big footprints.

Ainsworth isn’t just following Kent Wigle, a legendary coach who stepped down last month after two decades at the helm. He has become just the fourth Marshfield head coach since 1946.

“That’s absolutely amazing,” said Wigle, who followed Pete Susick (1946-79) and John Johnson (1980-87).

Ainsworth said Monday that he understands well what he’s getting into.

“It’s pretty special to take over the program, considering the tradition and history,” he said. “I think one of the benefits for me is I understand the community’s expectations and the administration’s expectations. I understand the culture of Marshfield football.”

Ainsworth was a free safety on Marshfield’s 1992 state champion team and graduated in 1994. After playing football at Southern Oregon University and coaching at South Umpqua and North Valley, serving as head basketball coach at the latter, Ainsworth returned to Marshfield seven years ago to join Wigle’s football staff.

Both Wigle and Marshfield athletic director Greg Mulkey said they expect Ainsworth to step in and carry on the tradition.

“I think he is (ready),” said Wigle, who had Ainsworth coaching the offensive line the past six seasons and helping call the offense from the coaching booth during games in recent years.

“Justin has been in our system,” Mulkey added. “He’s worked hard. He’s very organized. He’s high-energy. I’m real excited for him. He’ll do a good job.”

Marshfield has been one of the state’s top programs since Susick’s teams won or shared the title three straight years in the 1950s. The school has been in the playoffs 34 times since Susick’s second team reached the postseason. The Pirates have won four titles, finished second three more times and reached the semifinals in another five seasons.

Ainsworth hopes to continue the success at Marshfield and is grateful to have nearly the entire coaching staff returning.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting things going.”

Aside from Wigle, the only coach not returning is defensive backs coach Jay Pennington, who was with Wigle through his entire tenure, but resigned his post earlier in the school year.

“It’s difficult to replace Kent Wigle and Jay Pennington,” said Ainsworth, who was coached directly by Pennington during his tenure as a player with the Pirates.

The rest of the staff, though, is solid, Ainsworth said.

“I’ve had the opportunity to go a couple of other places,” he said. “One of the reasons I’ve stayed is the assistant coaches who are here. I have real special relationships with them.”

Wigle, who retired as a teacher several years ago, said the program will benefit from having a head coach in the building. He added that Ainsworth will benefit from being surrounded by good assistants.

“The really good thing is the guys that are on the staff are really good people and sincerely care about our young people,” he said. “It’s going to help having those guys and the young energy.

“I really, really respect the guys. I just wish them all the best. If I had a son playing, I’d feel very positive about those guys because I know they truly care about each individual, and the decisions are going to be made for what’s best for the team.”

And if Ainsworth needs any quick advice, Wigle is just a phone call away.

“I’m here as a resource,” he said.

Ainsworth expects to make some small changes to how Marshfield does things, and may experiment with a few new wrinkles on offense and defense, but doesn’t expect a big difference.

“I wouldn’t say there’s going to be an overhaul,” he said. “I don’t think that’s necessary. There’s a blueprint for success at Marshfield High School.”