Byrd named regional coach of the year

It’s been a remarkable year for Whitefish soccer head coach O’Brien Byrd. He led Bulldogs to a Class A state championship, picked up his 100th career win and now has been named one of seven nationwide finalists for High School Soccer Coach of the Year.

Byrd, who lives in Martin City graduated from Columbia Falls High School, was first nominated by other Montana soccer coaches for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America / Adidas state coach of the year award. He then won Regional Soccer Coach of the Year for the Rocky Mountain states.

Next month, Byrd will attend an award banquet in Indianapolis where the national winner will be announced.

“I was very flattered to be named state soccer coach of the year. That’s quite the honor,” Byrd said. “But it blew me away to get regional coach of the year.”

The award honors the entire career accomplishments of a soccer coach.

Byrd has been with Whitefish soccer for 10 seasons and coached state champion teams four times. His 100th career win came this season at Columbia Falls.