Ian Monihan, a 2010 graduate of West Linn High School, has been named the new head coach of the school's girls soccer program, assuming the role at the start of the 2026 fall season. His appointment follows a period of club‑level management and a return to the school where he previously contributed as a player, club president, and assistant coach on the boys varsity staff.
A Homegrown Coach Returns
Monihan spent four years playing club soccer at Oregon State University alongside his twin brother, during which they served as co‑presidents of the club for three seasons. After college, he stepped away from high school coaching to focus on running two local youth soccer clubs — Willamette United FC and Oregon Premier FC — while raising his family in the area.
His dual role as a club manager and former assistant on the West Linn boys varsity team gave him a front‑row view of the school's soccer culture. In 2021, he helped the boys team reach the state championship game, a milestone that underscored his ability to translate club‑level development into on‑field success.
Building on Recent Triumphs
Monihan succeeds Kevin Legg, whose Lions finished the previous season with a 15‑2‑2 record, captured the Three Rivers League title, and advanced to the Class 6A state championship game before falling 4‑1 to Jesuit. Legg's tenure set a high bar, and Monihan inherits a roster that blends returning standouts with promising newcomers.
The new coach emphasizes the program's reputation as one of the state's elite, noting that the team's depth and talent position it to compete strongly in upcoming league and playoff matchups. He also highlights the continuity of a strong feeder system through the local youth clubs he now oversees.
A Commitment to Community
Beyond the field, Monihan stresses his personal connection to West Linn, stating that he cannot envision representing any other community. He lives in the city, works daily with its youth soccer programs, and plans to raise his children there, underscoring a long‑term commitment to the school and its families.