Dryden resigns as 'Dogs football coach

Citing a desire to explore "the next chapter in my life," Bulldog varsity football coach Patrick Dryden is stepping away from the gridiron.

Dryden submitted his letter of resignation Jan. 4 after deliberating his decision over Christmas break.

The grind of the long football season — which starts in the weight room in January and runs through November — was wearing on the veteran coach. He's been involved with high school football for 25 years, including 13 seasons at Whitefish.

"I just need something different," he said. "I think I just realized that the off season was harder and harder every year."

He said he looks forward to having an autumn off to spend time kayaking and camping with his fiancee, who is showing him the ropes of outdoor activities.

"She's the coach," he said. "She's taught me how to kayak, skate ski and backcountry camp. I'm really looking forward to more time doing those kinds of things."

He's also planning an epic sports trip across the country that may include a stop at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

As the team's head coach for four seasons, Dryden led the 'Dogs to an 18-20 overall record and three Class A playoff appearances. The team finished 4-4 this past season and missed the playoffs.

Dryden said he's seen a number of changes at the school since he first started coaching in 1997.

"It's harder to get kids to commit to these sports," Dryden said. "Keeping a coaching staff together is more difficult, too."

Dryden will continue teaching at Whitefish Middle School and coaching the eighth-grade basketball team.

Whitefish High School activity director Jackie Fuller said she and principal Dave Carlson have started the process of finding a replacement, but there's no definite timeline for filling the position.

"We have to get someone here to work with the kids in the preseason and help promote the program," she said. "Hopefully, we will attract some great candidates. (Dryden) did a wonderful job and we thank him for everything he's done for the program. The job is a lot of work, and we appreciate his efforts."