Eddie Horn is going home.
Horn, the longtime soccer coach at Jefferson City High School, will be the new men's and women's coach at State Fair Community College in Sedalia starting this fall, pending approval by the school's Board of Trustees later this month. The confirmation is likely just a formality.
The SFCC Board of Trustees voted in December to add baseball and softball as well as the soccer programs in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Horn, a 1983 graduate of Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School, wrapped up his 26th season as head coach of the Jefferson City boys program last fall and has served three different stints as head coach of the girls program. Horn has a career record of 584-281-58 at Jefferson City.
Horn was inducted into the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association's Hall of Fame last Saturday.
"Sedalia has a great tradition in soccer," Horn, who is in Baltimore at a coaches convention, said in a release from the school. "The community is very supportive; it's an opportunity to build something special. I believe there are a lot of great players in the area who will have an opportunity to continue their educations as well as their playing careers."
State Farm athletic director Darren Pannier said he believes Horn is the right person for the job.
"Horn's legacy of soccer in the state and ties to Sedalia are what made him stand out," Pannier said. "He has great experience with the caliber of players we're seeking, both in soccer ability and academically, because of his connections in secondary coaching. He's a professional and well respected in the soccer community."
Horn, who will retire at Jefferson City at the end of the school year, knows the type of player he is looking for to play for the Roadrunners.
"The student-athletes have to be the right fit for us academically," he said. "We want them to be serious about graduating with their associate degrees and moving on to four-year schools, if that's what they want to do. Graduating from State Fair Community College has to be their number one priority. Soccer is a great way to get your education."
Horn's contract starts July 1. He will receive a stipend from the school until then to cover planning and recruiting.
This is not the first time SFCC has fielded a men's soccer team.
The school's program was closed down starting with the 2002-03 academic year after an administrative investigation revealed information suggesting player eligibility issues preceding the 2001 season. The National Junior College Athletics Association imposed sanctions on the program, which were recently lifted at SFCC's request.
SFCC, which has never had a women's program, has plans to develop a soccer field.