Former Nuggets point guard Earl Boykins is the new boys basketball coach at Douglas County High School.

Boykins, 37, takes over for Jeff Riley. The team finished 3-20 overall, 0-11 in the tough Continental League in 2014.

“We needed a spark in the program, a spark in the community,” said Douglas County athletic director Jeff Gardella. “We’ve been pretty bad over the past few years.”

The Huskies’ last winning season was 2007-08. They have a 29-110 record of 29-110 since.

“My plans are just to get the players to understand if you want to have success in life, you have to give hard work,” Boykins said.

Boykins was among three finalists for the job, Gardella said. What made Boykins stand out, however, was his work ethic and perserverance to make it to the NBA despite standing just 5-foot-5.

“What better role model than what Earl’s done?” Gardella said.

Boykins played in 652 games during his NBA career from 1998-2012. He played with the Nuggets from 2003-07, averaging 12.1 points and four assists through 255 games.

Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or twitter.con/byjoenguyen