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Curt Mueller is used to winning.

The 28-year-old has had nothing but success throughout his football career as a player and coach on the high school and college levels.

"Been lucky I guess," Mueller said. "I've learned a lot from a lot of great people that have helped me along the way."

Mueller is hoping to keep the train rolling in his new job as head coach of the Lafayette High football program

He was officially approved to succeed legendary coach Boyd Manne during a school board meeting on Thursday night. Manne resigned in February to take the head coaching job at Borgia.

A 2015 Edwardsville High grad, Mueller is anxious to take charge.

"It's a challenge that I am ready to take on," Mueller said. "Winning is about the process and the sacrifices you are willing to make."

Mueller brings an impressive resume to the Wildwood campus.

As a 6-foot-4, 248-pound tight end, he helped Edwardsville High to the state semifinals in 2013. He continued his career at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, where he was part of two NCAA Division II championship teams and a 38-game winning streak.

Mueller jumped into the high school coaching ranks as an assistant at Savannah High in northwest Missouri. He helped that group reach the quarterfinal round in 2019. His success continued over the last five seasons as the offensive line coach at Kirkwood High working under head coach Jeremy Maclin, a former standout with Philadelphia and Kansas City in the NFL as well as the University of Missouri.

"I've gotten to see a lot of different football in a lot of difference places," Mueller said. "I tried to learn as much as I could every step of the way."

Mueller was chosen among a host of talented applicants.

"He's got a great knowledge of the game," Lafayette athletics director Jonathan Sumner said. "We're excited to see what he can do with our kids."

Mueller has some big shoes to fill. Manne amassed 170 wins during his 20-year tenure. His team reached the Class 5 state semifinal round last season before losing to Helias 14-13.

A St. Charles resident, Mueller credits Maclin and Edwardsville coaches Matt Martin and Kelsey Pickering with helping his development on the high school level.

Mueller said his teams have to bond together as a family to achieve success.

"You have to build one day at time," Mueller said. "I ask my players, 'What can you do today to make yourself better than you were yesterday?' Getting better each day — that's how you develop into a winning program. Winning is about daily habits."

The Lancers return several key pieces from last year's final four team, which compiled a 12-2 mark.

The pressure to keep the team winning is nothing new to Mueller, who can't remember ever having a losing season at any level as a player or coach.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else where there isn't a high expectation to win," Mueller said.

Mueller will have his first meeting with his new players Monday. He said he is not looking at this position as a steppingstone to another level.

"The goal is to be a Lancer for life," Mueller said.