Soccer has taken Matt McCune to plenty of places, including overseas. He has played collegiately and professionally, coached clinics and is a club director for the Vinland Valley Soccer Association.

His next stop: Lawrence High.

McCune was announced as the LHS girls soccer coach Friday. He replaces Justin Young, who stepped down in May after coaching the Lions for three seasons.

“I’m very excited. It’s an opportunity that I saw at the 6A level,” McCune said. “LHS has always had good quality in their athletics, and their facilities are great, and I really enjoy working at the facility that they have there. It’s a good spot for soccer, and I’m looking forward to it.”

McCune, an eighth-grade history teacher at Baldwin Junior High, started the Vinland Valley Soccer Association in 1989 to save money for a soccer trip to Holland when he was in middle school.

Now he uses Vinland Valley to help teach and coach youth players.

“It’s kind of changed here and there throughout the years, and then recently it’s become more of a club with teams and stuff,” McCune said. “So I get to know all of the kids and train all of the kids and the coaches.

“I coach a few teams as the head coach. I was kind of looking for something a little bit different, and the high school job showed up. It’ll be a challenge for me. I’m excited about it.”

McCune has lived in the Douglas County area since he was in the third grade. He played with a few professional clubs after playing at Ottawa University.

“I think we were fortunate to have a really good pool of candidates,” LHS athletic director Bill DeWitt said. “Matt kind of emerged because he’s got a really nice soccer pedigree. He’s got a really nice soccer IQ. He’s also lived in the area his entire life, so this is his home.

“He really loves the sport. He’s played it and coached it almost his entire life, and he does it because he loves the game. I think our girls will just be fortunate to have him.”

McCune will be the fifth Lions head coach in eight seasons.

“It’s important to have somebody that’s tied to the community and has a real passion for soccer,” DeWitt said. “I think that’s demonstrated by coach McCune if you look at what he’s done with programs and working with youths and helping kids develop.”

McCune said he doesn’t know any of the players but hopes to set up meetings once the school year begins. The Lions finished with a 4-13 record last season.

“I’m excited that Lawrence High would give me the opportunity,” McCune said. “Hopefully we can work hard and have some success. Doesn’t always means that it’s wins as success. As long as, in my eyes, we’re doing something that’s correct.”