SANDPOINT — Big shoes come with the territory when it comes to Sandpoint soccer, and for just the third time in the program’s history, those shoes will be filled, as Evan McNeley accepted the head coaching position for the Bulldog boys soccer program on Friday.

McNeley, who recently finished his 13th professional indoor season as a starting defender for the Tacoma Stars of the Major Arena Soccer League, replaces Adam Tajan, who stepped down after a successful stint that included the program’s last state title in 2012.

McNeley, who has coached in the Striker program for years and who has been a coach at the popular Next Level soccer camp each June in Sandpoint for nearly a decade, is no stranger to Sandpoint soccer, and he’s thrilled to take over.

“It means a lot. I’m very excited to be a part of the Sandpoint community,” said McNeley, who will also be a para-pro teacher at Farmin-Stidwell next year. “Thanks to Adam Tajan for leaving such big shoes to fill. I appreciate the legacy he’s left on Sandpoint soccer.”

McNeley recently concluded another strong pro season, posting eight goals, six assists and 19 blocks as a starting defender for the Stars. During his entire pro career, he has always coached club and high school soccer, including a stint as the JV soccer coach at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego.

This marks his first time as a head high school coach, and he’s ready to pass along the extensive knowledge he’s gleaned playing college and pro soccer.

“The boys will respect each other, respect the club, use maximum intelligence and max effort. That’s what I’m going to preach to the team,” he described of his coaching style. “Possession-oriented, hard-nosed defense, hopefully that wins championships. I’ve won titles as a player; it stems from defense.”

McNeley was first introduced to Sandpoint nearly a decade ago when he came to help Brian Farber, his former teammate at Oregon State and with the San Diego Sockers, run an annual soccer camp that draws nearly 200 area youth.

McNeley is very familiar with the players he will inherit, having coached many of them at the camp and club level for years.

“I’ve been coaching some of these kids since they were 5 years old. It’s great to come full circle,” he said. “I’m hoping to produce nice young men out of these boys. Get them to be great student athletes, and hopefully move on to play past high school.”

Farber, who has played with and against McNeley for years, said he couldn’t think of a better person to take the reins of the program, which were handed from Randy Thoreson, who won seven state titles, to Tajan, who added another.

“Although he did not grow up in Sandpoint, he immediately fell in love with the city, people and soccer players during our first soccer camp together,” recalled Farber. “The Sandpoint program means a lot to me and many others who earned their reputation on War Memorial Field, and I have nothing but confidence in Evan taking over the rich tradition for years to come. Evan’s positive attitude and personality is infectious and Sandpoint soccer players just hit the jackpot,”

Bulldog athletic director Kris Knowles was ecstatic with the hire, lauding the combo of McNeley’s 13 years of pro experience and 15 years of coaching experience.

“It’s a natural. He did a lot of coaching alongside with a lot of playing,” said Knowles. “It’s pretty hard to beat, we’re very impressed with that. He came highly recommended by a number of people I respect in the soccer community.”

McNeley, 33, is a native of Everett, Washington, who went on to play in college at Seattle University and Oregon State. He won three Major Indoor Soccer League championships with the Monterrey La Raza (2009-10) and Milwaukee Wave (2011-12, 2012-13), also playing in San Diego and New Jersey in a decorated career.

Oddly enough, McNeley’s 2017 indoor season ended in a playoff loss at the hands of the Sockers, where he played for three years prior to signing with Tacoma.

“It was hard. When you’re playing against old teammates, they know your strengths, and you know theirs,” he admitted. “It was a passionate game, it’s always fun to play against your friends.”