Chuck Law finally knows how it feels to be a head basketball coach – with no strings attached.

Anxious to see the “interim” label disappear from his job description, Law got his wish Monday, agreeing to take charge officially of the Free State High boys program.

Law, 38, became the Firebirds’ interim coach last fall following the sudden resignation of Jack Schreiner. He guided Free State to a 7-14 record, including a 4-7 mark in the Sunflower League. Two of the victories came against cross-town rival Lawrence High, including the regular-season finale Feb. 24.

The Firebirds closed the season with a four-point loss to Topeka on March 2 in the opening round of Class 6A sub-state play, and it took the Free State administration less than two weeks to decide it already had the right man to take over the program on a permanent basis.

“We were really pleased with just everything he brings to the program,” Free State athletic director Steve Grant said. “The wins and losses weren’t there, but then we kind of knew that going in that we had an inexperienced team.

“He did all the right things. He gets along with all the kids and coaches. And we heard compliments from a lot of other coaches about the job he did.

“It was a pretty easy decision to reach.”

By making it now, Free State and Law will be able to avoid a repeat of last fall, when he had little time to adapt his own style and put his own stamp on the program.

Instead, he’ll have a full offseason to mold a lineup that, while losing three key seniors, also returns a talented junior class and a promising group of sophomores who experienced success this winter on the junior varsity level.

“I think the continuity thing is the biggest thing,” Grant said. “(The kids) worked with Chuck and his staff this year. They know what his expectations are.

“We’re pretty thrilled that we’ve got him to step in, and we’re really optimistic that we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with down the road.”

Law could not be reached for comment.