WHS tabs Olson to guide girls basketball

The Whitefish High School girls basketball team has hired its replacement for Dean McFadden.

Tim Olson, a 1987 graduate of WHS, was hired Wednesday to take over the reins of the program.

Olson was the boys junior varsity coach the past three years at WHS. Before that, he ran Whitefish's Little Dribblers hoops program from 1999-2003.

"I'm very excited," said the University of Montana graduate. "I'm so excited to be a part of the program. I've known these particular girls since they were in fifth and sixth grade basketball."

Olson, who was a guard, played for legendary WHS coach Julio Delgado, played on a state semifinal team his junior year and earned All-State recognition his senior year.

"I've got a lot of roots tied into Whitefish High School," Olson said. "I played in the program and have been a fan for 25 years."

Olson hasn't named his assistant coaches but hopes to have that done by next week.

The Bulldogs return a veteran squad, including five seniors, from last year's good team. Plus, Olson said, they've got a lot of young talent.

"We have a history together," Olson said. "I knew them when they were young and saw how competitive they were at that age."

The hiring concludes an entire makeover of the WHS basketball programs. Derek Schulz resigned from the boys program and Delgado was rehired to take his place.

"I learned a lot while coaching under Schulz," Olson said.

Olson replaces McFadden, who guided the Bulldogs to a second- and third-place finish at the State A tournament.