Greg Lehman is no stranger to youth sports in Carson City, having coached teams in Carson City Little League and the Capital Soccer Club.
Now, the 41-year-old Lehman is taking over the Carson High girls' program. Lehman takes over for Randy Roser, who resigned last year to devote more time to his ministry work and his private business.
There was a time when Carson athletic director Bob Bateman was unsure if there was going to be a boys or girls program because no qualified candidates had stepped up the first week the job opened. That prompted Lehman to throw his name in the ring.
"One reason I applied is because of the program Randy has built here," Lehman said. "The program deserved to have the right licensed coach.
"I'm enthused. I talked it over with my dad, my wife (Erin) and my sister before I made a final decision. We have a family business, and I wanted to make sure I had the time. I believe in giving 100 percent and doing it right."
Brian Slusser, who has been at Incline the past four years, and former Whittell coach Lydia Von Rumpf will be the varsity assistants. According to Lehman, Slusser played several years of professional soccer.
The coaching staff will get their first look at players during a camp from Aug. 6-10. Tryouts start the week of Aug. 13, and the first game is at Reno High on Aug. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Lehman has been holding informal conditioning at Carson, but he says it's been mostly incoming freshman and sophomore who have been attending. Lehman said many of the older players are currently playing club soccer.
"I know some of the girls," Lehman said. "I've talked with Randy a little bit. We discussed the upcoming season. We didn't talk a lot about each individual player. I'll wait to see them at tryouts.
"I sent all the players a summer fitness plan. They need to come in with a base and we'll build from there."
The cupboard certainly isn't bare. Goalie Emmy Heller returns along with field players Kenzie Tillit, Kiahna Pimental, Michelle Sandage and Shannon Flaherty among others.
What kind of soccer will the Senators play under Lehman?
"I like to play a possession game," Lehman said. "I like the girls to be creative. We'll play aggressively. We'll attack as a group and defend as a group."