Ferda leaves WHS football program

The Daily Inter Lake

Mike Ferda, who has guided the Whitefish High School football program since 1994, has stepped down as head coach.

"The team knew at the end of the year," said Ferda of his decision to retire.

"I didn't want this to be about my last season. I wanted the kids to play, get into the playoffs."

And that they did.

Whitefish finished Northwestern A play with a 3-2 record, good for third place. Overall, the Bulldogs were 6-2.

The Bulldogs fell to No. 4 ranked Dillon in this year's first round of the postseason, 27-14.

Ferda led the Bulldogs to six conference championships during his successful tenure and fashioned a 76-33 record.

The Bulldogs missed the playoffs only twice and he had just one losing season.

Whitefish advanced to the Class A state championship game in 2001, losing to Lewistown.

"It was a good run," said Ferda.

"I feel good about my years in Whitefish, the coaches we've had and the coaches that are still here. I inherited a good program from Dan Zorn and Scott Sward."

Ferda has been a fixture at WHS since 1985, when he accepted a position as an assistant football coach.

"He has proven time and time again that he's a first-rate coach," said WHS activities director Megan Olson.

"Committed to kids. He's been a key part of Bulldogs excellence and tradition. He will be missed greatly."

Olson said the opening will be posted later this winter or in early spring.

"We kinda saw it (coming) a year ago," said Olson.

"(His son) Tyler will be a freshman (next year) and he wants to watch him play football."

Ferda's daughter, Courtney, will be a senior next fall. She plays volleyball and track.

"A fine man with good morals and values," said Olson.

"He's been a positive role model for the kids he's coached over the years."

Ferda, an assistant chief of police in Whitefish, says he would like someone currently on staff to apply because "they have a vested interest in it."