Longtime C-Falls coach Schmautz dies

Larry Schmautz, who coached Columbia Falls High School to a girls state basketball championship along with being instrumental in the sport's growth state-wide, died Saturday morning.

The cause of death is not known at this time, although it is believed to be natural causes.

Schmautz took over a girls program in its infancy in 1976 and coached the Wildkats to a 22-3 record and the Class AA state title in 1983. The previous year, they finished third at state and 22-2.

He guided the Wildkats for 20 seasons and retired after the 1995 campaign as the third-winningest coach in state girls high school basketball history with a record of 327 wins and 121 losses.

"Always a gentleman," said Carol Pike, executive director of the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce.

"He had just a phenomenal winning record. The whole town had pride in what he did. There isn't anyone in Columbia Falls who doesn't have nice things to say about Larry Schmautz."

Under Schmautz, Columbia Falls won a total of eight divisional titles and placed in the top three 15 times.

He was honored with coach of the year honors by the Montana Coaches Association (MCA) and was inducted into the MCA Hall of Fame in 1996.

Schamutz also was a very successful head track coach at Columbia Falls and taught social studies at the high school.

"Observing Larry and the way he dealt with kids in basketball, track and also through his work in the classroom, he was the kind of person kids always responded to," said former Wildkat assistant and former head girls basketball coach Doug Cordier.

"He never overplayed a hand. He always had high expectations (for them)."

Schmautz's coaching career began in Gildford. He graduated from Western Montana College, where he starred in basketball and baseball.

"I was fortunate to have him as a teacher, coach and was able to work side-by-side with him," Cordier said.

"He taught me so much about basketball, government. Taught me about ethics, what it took to succeed. What it took to be a gentlemen. My life has been enriched because of his influence on it."

Pike, along with her late husband Bob, was instrumental in getting Columbia Falls High School to add girls basketball to its sporting curriculum in 1973.

"Nobody wanted to coach girls," said Pike of the beginning.

"They thought it would fail."

Not Schmautz.

He eagerly replaced Dick Dowler, who coached the Wildkats the first three years. And the rest is history.

Barry Grace, an assistant basketball coach with Schmautz for 13 seasons, says the Flathead Valley has lost a "legend."

"Highly respected," said Grace.

"He treated the kids right. He was a real father figure for most of them."

Schmautz and Grace were the driving force behind starting the Montana Girls Classic, which took place every summer for 15 years.

The classic gathered the best girls basketball players, graduating seniors, from around the state for two games in June. Butte hosted one and Columbia Falls the second.

Pike and the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce coordinated activities for the all-star event in the Flathead Valley.

It was held for the first time on June 14, 1984, with Schmautz coaching the West All-Stars.

The last time he coached in the classic was 1996.

"When I started coaching, his program was the one I wanted to be like," said long-time Polson girls basketball coach Bruce Thomas.

"If we came close, or beat his team, then we knew we were accomplishing something because he had the premier program in Western A for years. They were always at state, always playing in the championship game at divisional."

Thomas said he was privileged to have coached against Schmautz for four seasons.

"A really neat guy," said Thomas.

"He's gonna be missed. He was very thoughtful and considerate of the profession. He was very competitive, but very willing to share knowledge, congratulations."

Thomas said one bit of advice Schmautz shared with him he still adheres to today.

"Keep your best sophomore post and sophomore guard on the varsity," said Thomas.

"That way you will always have an experienced post and guard coming back. I've always done that."

Grace said his coaching philosophy was much like Schmautz's, which resulted in a great coaching relationship.

"He demanded a lot of our girls and so did I," said Grace.

"The way I treated them was like he did. So it wasn't a shock when they moved up (to the varsity) to him."

Cordier, who served as head coach for two seasons with the Wildkats (1999 and 2000), also had a great working relationship with Schmautz.

"Larry was wonderful, one of the greatest guys to be around," said Cordier.

"He was a great teacher of the game.

"I feel so fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with him," he continued.

"Admired him as a friend and admired him so much as a coach. I certainly wanted to emulate him in all my coaching experiences. I still think back (in certain situations): 'How will Larry handle this?' I will carry that always."