A former European professional soccer player could coach the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team in the fall of 2000.

Tuesday, August 17, 1999

A former European professional soccer player could coach the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team in the fall of 2000.

That was the message delivered to the school board Monday night by Jim Plantage, who represents the Albert Lea Youth Soccer Association.

&uot;For the past two years, ALYSA has hired coaches from Europe in the hope of helping … (players) reach the next level,&uot; Plantage said, referring to a summer youth soccer program held in Albert Lea.

&uot;The coaches work on team structure and player development,&uot; he added. &uot;The players showed noticeable improvement. It kind of gives you the idea that we’re limited in what we know. I feel our older players should have greater (qualified coaches) than what we provide.&uot;

Plantage said he’s become friendly with the coaches while they’re in town; they stay at his home.

Through those relationships, he said he learned that 16-year veteran player and coach, Brian Darby, plans an extended visit in 2000.

During the stay, Darby is interested in working with the Albert Lea High School program, Plantage said.

As with the other professional coaches, Darby tours the Midwest and likes what he’s seen in Albert Lea’s youth program, he said.

&uot;They’ve toured the Midwest for 10 years and they seem to like Albert Lea the best,&uot; Plantage said. &uot;Maybe it’s the potential for what they see in our soccer program.&uot;

He then asked the board to hire Darby as the boys’ soccer coach in 2000.

&uot;If we don’t take advantage of this, some other community will, he said. &uot;I’m prepared to do what I can to make it happen.&uot;

Darby has played and coached professional soccer in Europe, Canada and Australia. But the board wasn’t aware that he wants to coach in Albert Lea until Plantage spoke Monday.

No action was taken. Instead, board members passed the request to the athletic director.