Vestavia Hills names Harlan as boys soccer coach
Leo Harlan, who has been serving as Vestavia Hills boys soccer coach Rick Grammer’s assistant, will step up into the role of head coach next season.
Grammer retired after last season, his 35th as the Rebels’ head coach. The winningest soccer coach in the state and No. 6 in the country, Grammer posted a 633-158-50 record, including a 20-5-2 record last year. The Rebels won four state championships, including back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014. They lost to eventual state champion Oak Mountain this year to end the run.
“Leo’s been Rick’s assistant the past couple of years on the varsity and has been the JV coach and freshman coach off and on,” Vestavia Hills Athletics Director Jeff Segars said. “He does a fantastic job. We’re lucky to have him.
“Coach Grammer left our soccer program in very good hands.”
Harlan just finished his 10th year at Vestavia Hills as a coach and teacher. He also was head coach at Minor High in 2004 and 2005, winning a Metro Tournament championship.
“I’m just excited to take over the position,” Harlan said. “I know that we have a great soccer history. We have great soccer players coming into the school every year. All the credit for winning goes to the great players who’ve been here. Coach Grammer and I always try to get the best out of them, but it’s always about the players.
“We want to compete for state championships year in and year out.”
Harlan, 39, is originally from New Orleans but went to school at Auburn.
Don’t look for any drastic changes in the style that has served the Rebels so well.
“There won’t be any dramatic changes,” Harlan said. “But I am very defensive-minded. My goal, when I’ve been head coach, is to shut everybody out.”
He knows he’s got big shoes to fill, but said he thinks he’s up to the task. However, he did acknowledge one thing.
“I told Coach Grammer his record isn’t going to be in jeopardy. I don’t think I can coach that long.”