AUSTIN — The Austin Packers football team has a new head coach ready for a challenge.

Austin High School activities director Lisa Quednow-Bickler announced Wednesday that AHS has hired Brett Vesel, who coached at La Crescent for the past six years and spent five years as the head coach at Superior High School in Wisconsin.

Vesel comes to Austin after posting winning seasons in four of his five seasons with the Lancers. In 2011, La Crescent’s starting quarterback was injured and the team went 3-5 overall.

He replaces Matt Schmit, who went 0-18 in two seasons, and while the Packers haven’t won a game in their last 19, Vesel is ready to start the rebuilding process.

“I’ve taken over losing programs before and I like to work hard,” Vesel said. “I’m coming with the intention of making a difference.”

As for his offensive style, Vesel’s La Crescent teams lined up in the spread formation, but that didn’t mean they were always passing.

“We’re going to do what the defense allows us to do,” Vesel said. “I’m comfortable running or passing or doing both. It’s going to be an up-tempo and we’ll be fast and furious.”

Vesel said Austin superintendent Dave Krenz is one of the reasons he applied for the Austin job, as Krenz used to work in La Crescent.

“I knew the district through him and it caught my attention,” Vesel said. “I felt that it would be a pretty good fit for our family.”