Patrick Dryden named head football coach

Patrick Dryden wears many hats — and now he has one more to put on.

Dryden, a history teacher at Central School, the girls tennis coach and a former assistant football coach for the Bulldogs, will replace former head coach Mike Ferda for the 2006 football season.

Ferda stepped down from his 20-year post following the conclusion of last season. Meg Olson, the activities director at Whitefish High School, said Dryden was offered the position last Tuesday.

"He has eight years of head coaching experience and has a good relationship with our student athletes," Olson said.

Dryden was one of two finalist considered for the position/ He joined the Bulldogs organization as an assistant coach in 1997.

Prior to that, Dryden was the head high school football coach in Salmon, Idaho, and he has been an assistant coach at Havre and Missoula Hellgate.