Todd Jack is the new Trinity Lutheran boys soccer coach.

Jack, 31, who has roots in Columbus, as well as living in many other places being raised as part of a military family, was named to lead the Cougars’ program by athletic director Ryan Cremeans this week.

Jack replaces Joe Doggett, who was in charge of the Trinity team for the previous five seasons. The Cougars finished just 2-8 last fall, but reached the sectional finals.

This will be Jack’s first job coaching at the high school level. A long-time player himself as a youth through high school and as a coach of kids programs at the elementary school and middle school level, Jack said in an interview this has been a goal for him.

“I’m extremely excited,” Jack said. “One hundred percent, this has been my life’s goal for some time. The game of soccer has been the love of my whole life.”

In addition to soccer, Jack said he has also coached boys and girls in basketball and volleyball.

“Todd has coached primarily at Lutheran schools in highly competitive Southern California and then the past two years at FFY (Foundation For Youth) in Columbus,” Cremeans said.

“He has a broad range of coaching skills across the three sports. We believe Todd will be an excellent fit at Trinity Lutheran. Given Todd’s background in coaching soccer, and in a very competitive landscape, he will be able to help us continue to build our boys soccer program.

“He is committed to helping Trinity Lutheran build from the ground up and turn our program into a competitive group that expects to compete with any school we step onto the pitch with.”

Jack, who was just meeting holdover players for the first time late in the week, has a nephew enrolled at Trinity, but he is a non-soccer player to date.

“Well, we’ll see,” Jack said. “I’m going to try and get my hook into him.”

Jack was able to see Trinity play one game in the sectionals last fall at the end of last season. He was aware the Cougars were beset by physical injuries that ended some players’ seasons early and taking good care of one’s body will be emphasized as he takes over the team and when pre-season workouts begin.

“That will definitely be a talking point over the summer,” Jack said.