By Raenelle Kwock

Observer Staff Writer

A familiar face will be on the sidelines of La Grande High School football games this coming year.

Shae Little of Baker City will be taking over the head football coaching duties at LHS this fall.

Little grew up in Hillsboro and played football at Hillsboro High School. He attended Portland State before transferring to play football at Eastern Oregon University for four years.

He had a brief NFL career with the St. Louis Rams but suffered an injury after three months.

He was a student-teacher in The Dalles before moving to Baker City, where he coached the football team in 2000 and 2001.

"The offense will fit the students we have," Little told the football team and parents at the LHS commons Monday night.

He joked about having 6-foot-8, 320-pound linemen.

"We fit the offense to the kids," Little said.

He went over a tentative summer schedule, and met the parents and players afterwards.

"Communication is key," he said during the meeting.

Little will be a part-time physical education teacher.

He is conducting coaching interviews today in order to form a staff before camp. Camp practice kicks off June 23.

Former head coach Randy Waite will be in Ontario this fall. Waite will not be on the Hermiston football staff as reported earlier. Waite will face familiar teams in the Greater Oregon League as head coach in Ontario.

La Grande will open its season in Fruitland, Idaho, Sept. 5. The Tigers open GOL play at home against McLoughlin Sept. 19.