Houle at the helm: Veteran line coach now head coach of Wildcats
Kelly Houle coaches the linemen during practice on Monday. He is the new head coach of the Columbia Falls Wildcats.
By CHRIS PETERSON
Hungry Horse News
The Columbia Falls football team will have a new head coach this season, but he’s a very familiar face.
Longtime line coach Kelly Houle will lead the Wildcats this season. Coach Jaxon Schweikert retired from coaching at the end of last season.
Houle has been with the Wildcat football program for 20 years, three at the junior high and 17 at the high school, coaching offensive and defensive lines.
Houle has a knack for getting the most out of his players. Last year the football team made it to the state championship, with his offensive line doing a fantastic job opening holes for the Wildcats’ potent offense.
He also does an amazing job coaching pole vault for the track team, placing athletes at state on a regular basis. Houle has never pole vaulted in his life. He also was an assistant wrestling coach for eight years.
“The biggest thing is you’ve got to love the kids,” he said. “It’s important to trust and believe in them and what the team is trying to do.”
“Build relationships and show you care about them,” he added.
Houle said he’s also learned a lot about coaching from years working with Schweikert and Bill Coleman, who was also an assistant under Schweikert and was also a head coach.
“They taught me a lot about being a man and a coach,” he said.
Coaching is a two-way street for coach and player.
“Trust the process. Trust your coaching. Have a coachable spirit,” he said.
Houle will have a great deal of support, as virtually all the assistant coaches that worked under Schweikert have returned this year.
Austin Green is the offensive coordinator, Austin Barth will coach tight ends, outside linebackers and will be defensive coordinator, Ron LaTray defensive backs, Brian McGrath will coach the junior varsity along with Keegan Pendergast. Houle said he still needs a wide receiver coach.
Coleman will coach the defensive line and running backs.
Barth and Green were both standout players for the Wildcats and Green was the quarterback in its ‘17 championship season.
Barth played for Montana State and Green coached at the University of Montana Western in Dillon.
The men have worked together for several seasons and were a big part of the Wildcats’ success last year.
Houle said he expects the style of play will be similar as under Schweikert, with a spread offense, though they may run the ball more.
“I’m excited to work with these young coaches,” a nod to Barth and Green.
The squad opens the season at home for a change, facing off against Frenchtown Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.