Mike Metzger has been a fan of the game of soccer for his entire life.
Now the 34-year-old will get the opportunity to pass along that passion, as he is the new head coach of the Helias boys program.
"I've always been interested in the game, I'm a big fan of studying the game," Metzger said Friday after addressing the returning players at the school.
Metzger started playing the game at an early age and continued through high school at Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame.
"From 8 to 18, I was playing all year long," Metzger said.
Metzger is in his third season as an assistant coach with the girls program. He became interested in the boys position when Chuck Register, the only head coach in the history of the program that began in 1998, stepped away after last season.
"I wasn't sure it was a realistic goal, but God works in mysterious ways," Metzger said.
Helias activities director Brad Dempsey, who also serves as head coach of the girls soccer team, has known Metzger for many years.
"He's extremely passionate about the game, he loves it and he loves working with kids," Dempsey said. "You can tell when someone understands the game of soccer and Michael understands the game of soccer.
"The kids, when they have somebody who has the passion for the game, can make the connection with soccer and Michael has that."
The Crusaders have made five Final Four appearances in program history, the last in 2008.
"Coach Register did a great job of working with the program and building it, I just want to put a different spin on it," Metzger said. "We have great kids here, I just want to bring the program along and make sure the kids who want to play soccer at Helias come to Helias."
Metzger was recently hired to be a physical education teacher at St. Martins School.
"I love working with kids and this is a great opportunity," Metzger said. "I want to be the kind of coach the players can come and talk to about whatever they are dealing with in their lives."
Metzger, who said he watched the Crusaders play several games during the past couple seasons, has some simple goals entering his first season this fall.
"I want the boys to come in and work hard," he said. "It would be great to make it to the Final Four, but for now, I just want to see where we are at as a team and go from there."
Dempsey said he is looking for Helias to take a spot among the elite programs in Missouri.
"Our goal is to grow and develop our players where we can can compete with the top teams in the state," he said. "It's going to come down player development, getting in with the youths, and being a soccer family."
Metzger said Dave Heckart, who has been an assistant the past couple seasons on the boys side, will return in that role.