Tengan will also remain as the school's head basketball coach.

Tengan had turned down the football job three weeks ago because he wanted to remain as head basketball coach as well. At the time he said the school administration "was uneasy" with his coaching both sports.

"They asked me to reconsider," Tengan said yesterday. "They said they wanted me to coach football and that wouldn't be a question."

Lee, who remains as athletic director and said he wanted Tengan to succeed him, declined to comment.

In a brief news release announcing the appointment, St. Louis said Tengan told a faculty meeting, "I'm looking forward to taking on the big challenge."

It is big indeed. In his third game as head coach, Tengan's team will play national-rankings champion De La Salle of California, which has won a national record 125 straight games. The game is scheduled Sept. 21 at Aloha Stadium.

"I think it's a once in lifetime opportunity, playing the perenneial national champs," Tengan said. "I'm very intrigued."

Tengan, 41, has been a teacher and a member of Lee's staff at St. Louis for 14 years. He was football defensive coordinator the past four years and head basketball coach the past three seasons. He was an athletic trainer at St.Louis for five years before joining the coaching staff.

He said the entire football staff would remain and he hoped to "use Cal as much as possible in whatever capacity he is available for. He is as greatest resource as I have on campus."

Lee led St. Louis to 16 straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu (private school) championships and national prominence. St. Louis won 14 straight O'ahu Prep Bowl championships (1986-98) and the inaugural state high school championship in 1999. The Crusaders lost the state title game to Kahuku the last two years.