Gone before he started.

That will be the legacy of Lawrence High boys soccer coach Christian Sayre, who revealed this week he is leaving to take a job in California.

Sayre had been an assistant in the Lions’ girls and boys soccer programs when he was elevated to the head boys’ job in April, replacing David Platt, who had held the post the previous four seasons.

However, just days before the Lions’ season opener a week from today at Manhattan, Sayre pulled up stakes.

Lawrence High athletic director Ron Commons acted quickly, naming long-time aide Bill Kelly to the varsity post.

Meanwhile, Platt will work with sub-varsity players.

“Having both Bill and David Platt as former coaches remain on the staff will make the transition very smooth,” Commons said.

Kelly has been an LHS soccer and track aide for several years. He teaches at South Junior High.

The Lions struggled to a 3-12-2 record last fall, but their sophomore team finished with a 10-3 record.

Sayre, a native of Enid, Okla., spent two years at Dodge City High before coming to Lawrence where he assisted the girls team for two years and the boys for one.

Sayre did not return calls from the Journal-World.