Rogers, owner of three Class 4A state girls basketball championships at Arundel, replaces Walter, who decided to retire in June after 27 years as the school's athletic director.

Rogers led Arundel to titles in 1996, 2000 and 2004, but was denied last year's championship when Eleanor Roosevelt captured its record-tying fourth in a row, beating the Wildcats in the championship game.

Football coach Chuck Markiewicz and Rogers served as Walter's assistant athletic director last year.

"I think he's going to do great," said Walter, who is still undecided about a possible return as the school's varsity baseball coach. "He's worked hard. He was my assistant for many years."

Boys lacrosse coach Kevin Necessary joins Markiewicz as Rogers' assistants in the 2008-09 academic year.

Rogers will have big shoes to fill.

Under Walter's direction, Arundel was named as a National Demonstration School by the President's Council for Physical and Sport three times.

Rogers has been a teacher and coach at Arundel for more than two decades. He coached football and boys basketball before taking the reigns of the girls program in 1990. Along with his three state girls basketball titles, Rogers' teams have won 12 Anne Arundel County championships and nine region crowns.