The Gianandrea family returned to the La Grande area with Chris ready for the high school girls’ soccer season to start.

LA GRANDE — A Tiger alumni is back home and ready to continue Sam Brown’s success with the La Grande girls soccer team.

Chris Gianandrea takes the reins of the Tigers after a history of both playing and coaching the sport in numerous states brought the Gianandrea family back home.

“I played soccer since I was 4,” he said. “I played high school soccer right here in La Grande. When we moved to Arizona to continue my wife’s education, I coached youth teams and volunteered with the local high school. I also had the chance to coach club soccer there and learned so much.”

Gianandrea will have little time away from the soccer fields of the town. Returning home, he took a job with La Grande Parks and Recreation as the agency’s recreation coordinator and immediately started soccer programs for both the older and younger players.

“The club program in Arizona is so intense,” he said. “It is set up more like our high school program with leagues and playoffs and just tons of teams.”

Taking over the coaching duties of the Tigers, Gianandrea fully understands the history and success of the La Grande squad.

“I watched the team in the playoffs last year and I was impressed,” said Gianandrea. “We lose seven seniors but have some great young talent. This is a team that wants to win. I already know the team and I want the same things – GOL wins, make the state playoffs and make a deep run in the playoffs.”

Gianandrea said a big help is former coach Brown is staying in the area and assisting the transition.

“Coach Brown was here when I was in high school,” Gianandrea said. “Having him help out is extraordinary. Winning at this level involves talent and health. I know we have the talent. Now it is just a matter of keeping the team healthy throughout the season and improving on what we have.”

Just to add to the new coach’s plate, the Gianandrea family added a new member in January. He and his wife, a local Imbler graduate, welcomed their first child.

“If I have some time, I am a big golfer,” he said. “That will take a back seat with everything going on now.”