By Sports Editor Andrew Simonson
SHELBY NORTHAs they look to carry on their decades-long dynasty with one of the men who helped create it, the Oak Mountain Eagles will turn to one of their own.
On Friday, June 20, Oak Mountain High School announced that Keegan McQueen, a former Eagle, will take over as its next head varsity boys soccer coach.
For the chance to be there, for coach (Chris) Blight to sort of trust me with that, for us to meet and discuss it, and for everything to work out the way it has, it’s been incredible,” McQueen said. Additionally, returning to Oak Mountain as head coach is something you kind of dream about, and I’m quite thrilled about it.
Although this will be McQueen’s first varsity head coaching job, he has a wealth of expertise to draw from. Oak Mountain has had McQueen as an assistant coach, most notably during the Eagles’ undefeated 2024 state championship squad.
For the latter two seasons of his college career, he was a consistent starter as a defender and a four-year letterman at West Alabama.
He may be most well-known in the area for his playing days at Oak Mountain, when he and the Eagles advanced to the 2013 and 2014 Class 6A state championship game. In high school, he was selected to the All-State, All-Metro, and All-County teams.
He feels a greater sense of pride and obligation to continue the dynasty he fell in love with as a child and was a part of throughout his high school years because he is an Oak Mountain alum.
McQueen recalled seeing the high school teams play in middle school and thinking, “Hey, those guys, I want to eventually be there and play on this field and play with my friends and hopefully have success and be able to compete for state championships.” Therefore, it is hoped that middle schoolers and elementary school students will now attend games and eventually develop the desire to play at Oak Mountain High School, where the field is crowded with students and the atmosphere is fantastic, under the lights. In order to get Eagle Nation to pack the Nest and reestablish that reputation where these young children are genuinely thrilled to play at Oak Mountain High School, the objective is simply to sort of, again, create that reputation and create that atmosphere, especially at home, because they are a force when they are out there.
Blight mirrored his enthusiasm and feels he is the ideal program spokesman.
Blight expressed his excitement about coach McQueen taking over the soccer program. He is the epitome of Oak Mountain soccer’s culture and heritage. He brings enthusiasm, expertise, and vision to lead our program to new heights as a leader, and we are truly honored to have him back. As a former player, he understands what it means to wear the jersey.
Despite having been a defender in the past, McQueen’s coaching philosophy prioritizes offensive players and quickening the tempo to generate scoring opportunities. Pace will remain the team’s defining characteristic, even though he hopes to carry on David DiPiazza’s concept of developing the tactics for the players.
One thing is certain, though: the team will be extremely fast-paced, fit, and capable of running and pressing well. Once they have the ball, it will all be about them having fun and scoring goals, McQueen stated. That’s the fun of soccer, after all. In addition to scoring a lot of goals and having a great time as a player, that is what excites the spectators and students who attend. Therefore, the objective would be to play quickly, score many goals, and enjoy ourselves as a team.
The names of McQueen’s assistants will be revealed later.
