Prior Lake football coach Matt Gegeneheimer will lead the United States' Under-18 national team during the 2018 International Bowl Series in January.
The annual week-long event is comprised of practices and games of multiple countries' top high school-aged student-athletes (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19) in international football amateur competition. The 2018 International Bowl location and game schedule, as well as player rosters and complete coaching staffs, will be announced later.
In a statement from USA Football, Gegenheimer called it "a great honor'' to coach the team. "The U.S. National Team program continues to elevate itself year after year, and I look forward to continuing its rich tradition and proudly representing the United States this January," he said.
Gegenheimer, in his 13th year at Prior Lake, led the Lakers to their first state tournament appearance in program history in 2011. Prior Lake returned to the state playoffs again in 2012 and 2014. Before taking over at Prior Lake, he served as defensive coordinator for a state runner-up-team at Le Center.
Gegenheimer is a USA Football regional master trainer, teaching health and safety protocols and proper on-field technique to coaches nationwide.
USA Football, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, manages U.S. national teams for international play.
