Jun. 12—Nearly a decade ago, Max Thompson was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his former Edward Little boys soccer coach Dave Morin, but Thompson was beat out for the chance to be Morin’s successor.
Nine years later, Thompson is finally getting his chance to run the Red Eddies program, and he will be filling the shoes of his sons’ coach and another former EL player, Tim Mains.
“I applied back in 2012, but didn’t get it. When the job became available a few years later, the timing just wasn’t right, so I passed on applying again,” Thompson said. “A couple of weeks ago, I saw a friend of mine post on Facebook that the position was open again, and I thought, ‘This is it, now or never!'”
Thompson said he had a fantastic interview with the hiring committee and then just crossed his fingers.
“I can’t remember the last time that I was so excited for a phone call,” Thompson said. “Thankfully, when (Edward Little athletic director Todd) Sampson called, he had good news for me, and I had finally got the job.”
Thompson, a 1997 Edward Little High School graduate, has coached at the youth level for the past 15 years while coaching his sons, including with the Lewiston Auburn Youth Soccer Association travel program. His father, Gary, was a JV coach under Morin when Thompson played for the Red Eddies.
Thompson said Edward Little soccer is a part of his family’s history, including his wife Krissy, who played for the Red Eddies from 1994-97.
“We always preach family here at Edward Little, so to bring Coach Thompson back to the program is exciting and created an extremely positive buzz,” Sampson said. “It was clear during the interview process Max’s soccer IQ and attention to detail will bring success to our boys soccer program.”
Sampson also noted that Thompson has “developed a fantastic reputation in the local soccer community.”
Thompson already has some recent experience with the program. Thompson’s son Alex was a junior on the team when Mains took over in 2016, so he was able to offer some insight on Alex’s class of players. Max eventually transitioned to filming games for the team and breaking down the highlights and lowlights.
“I think that I can build on the possession style of play that Coach Mains was working toward,” Thompson said.
Thompson has another son currently in the program: Jack will be a junior this fall, and Thompson said he’s “looking forward to seeing how (the juniors) can progress and what this team will be capable of.”
The new coach is hoping to grow the program, and hopefully add a freshman team. He’s also hoping to take advantage of the new school and athletic facilities that are being built over the next few years.
“I think these facility improvements will give the boys an opportunity to play in primetime, under the lights, and show the community their talents,” Thompson said. “Having these showcase opportunities will hopefully encourage the next generation of players to want to be a part of what we are building.”
In the meantime, Thompson thinks next year’s team, led by the seniors and juniors, has a chance to be pretty good.
Mains said stepping down as head coach was a difficult decision, but there are plans to relocate in his future.
“Not exactly sure where, but coaching a program while living far away is a difficult task that I didn’t think was fair for anyone involved because I wouldn’t be able to be there all that I wanted to be in the summers,” he said.
Sampson said Mains, who was also has been a boys basketball assistant coach at Edward Little, will be missed.
“His ability to make in-game adjustments and put our team in a position to be successful was witnessed on a regular basis,” Sampson said. “He had the ability to motivate every student-athlete on his roster on a daily basis, his teams got better throughout the season and always peaked come playoff time.”
In Mains’ first season, the Red Eddies won the KVAC championship, which he said was one of the highlights of his tenure.
“My proudest moments are that I think I really formed some great relationships and helped kids in more ways than just in soccer,” Mains said. “The kids in Auburn are amazing, and I’m proud that I’ve gotten to work with them for so long.”
Mains said he took over a talented roster from previous coach Matt Andreasen, who replaced Morin, and he thinks he’s leaving a strong program in the hands of Thompson.
“I think the team is in really great shape to succeed next season and in seasons after,” Mains said. “Max Thompson is someone who I have talked about soccer a lot with. He knows his stuff and has a great relationship with the kids already. I’m looking forward to watching the program grow under his leadership.”
Thompson said he has been scrambling this week to make sure everything is ready for his team to start summer soccer on Monday.