Columbus East High School

COLUMBUS, IN — Columbus East High School has announced the hiring of Nathan Cline as the new head coach of the Olympians boys’ soccer program, elevating a former East standout and longtime assistant to lead a program he knows inside and out. A Columbus native, Cline is a 1999 graduate of Columbus East and played varsity soccer for the Olympians all four years. He also competed extensively at the club level with Columbus Express, SCSA, and Inferno, gaining experience against top regional competition at a time when elite travel soccer was still emerging in the area. Following high school, Cline played collegiately at Earlham College from 2000–2003, where he earned All-Conference honors three times and was named Defensive Most Valuable Player as a senior. His Earlham team reached a national ranking of seventh and was later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. After returning to Columbus and raising his family, Cline began coaching youth soccer in 2005, before returning to Columbus East as an assistant coach in 2017. The upcoming 2026 fall season will mark his 10th year on the East coaching staff. During his time as an assistant, the Olympians have experienced sustained success, including four conference championships, four sectional titles, a regional championship, and a Final Four appearance. Teams he has helped coach have consistently emphasized defensive accountability, averaging fewer than one goal allowed per match, while eight players have gone on to compete at the collegiate level. “I’m big on accountability,” Cline said. “Prepared and communicative teams perform better, and that starts with commitment. We want to control the pace of play, apply pressure, and counter hard, while maintaining high expectations in everything we do.” Cline steps into the role with a clear vision built around leadership, communication, and excellence. His immediate focus is on aligning players to a culture of commitment and sustained success, with long-term goals of returning the program to semi-state contention. Columbus East Athletic Director, David Miller, said the hire reflects both continuity and confidence in the program’s direction. “Nathan understands what it means to be an Olympian,” Miller said. “He’s invested in our kids, our culture, and our community. His experience and credibility within the program make him the right person to lead us forward.” Outside of soccer, Cline owns Center Line Precision Technology in Edinburgh. He and his wife, Megan, a teacher in Bartholomew Consolidated Schools, have been married for 23 years. Their son Logan is a recent finance graduate of Xavier University, and their daughter Maddie is a senior at Butler University pursuing a career as a physician assistant. “I’m a kid-first coach,” Cline said. “If you have the right attitude and work ethic, I’m willing to talk soccer with you—no matter where you think your path is headed.” David Miller Athletic Director Columbus East High School