The search is over for the next Newton High baseball head coach.

On Tuesday evening, Newton made it official by hiring first-year coach Ty Hensley to next lead the Rams.

Hensley, who has lived in Georgia most of his life, graduated from Newton in 2000. He played baseball for the Rams from 1996-2000.

"It's always been a dream and a passion of mine to be a head baseball coach," Hensley said. "It's always been my goal."

Hensley replaces Billy Roper, who resigned on May 22 after eight seasons as head skipper of the Rams.

Roper is now the assistant coach for the football and baseball teams at North Cobb.

"I'm just looking forward to working with the boys (and) the challenge of working with high school kids," Hensley acknowledged. "I'm taking that next step in my career, and I've always wanted to be a head coach."

The Rams were 10-16 overall (6-8 Region 2-AAAAA) this season.