Schulz resigns as Whitefish boys basketball coach

Derek Schulz has resigned as the head boys basketball coach at Whitefish High School.

Schulz coached the Bulldogs for three seasons, posting a record of 16-48.

Schulz went 6-15 his first year, 0-20 his second season and had the program on the upswing with a 10-13 mark this past school year. Whitefish finished third at the divisional tournament this winter, losing out in a challenge game for a trip to the state tournament.

Schulz turned in his resignation to Whitefish High School principal Kent Paulson earlier this month.

"The demands of coaching basketball didn't really fit my philosophy (anymore)," Schulz said.

"I believe in (kids playing) multiple sports; I don't believe in specialization. Those are the things that are out there now. I guess I'm a little bit old school (in that I believe) you should play all sports. You go from the next sport to the next one and have fun. Nowadays, the demands are much different."

Schulz said it was a "very" difficult decision - stepping down - for him to make.

"The program has been a part of my life and my family's life," he said.

"I still feel a lot of loyalty (to it). I still care about the kids a lot. But it was too difficult trying to be somebody I'm not."

Schulz was a very successful assistant basketball coach under former WHS head coach Julio Delgado for eight seasons.

When Tom Bertelsen replaced Delgado as head coach, Schulz became the assistant JV coach for three more.

When Bertelsen stepped down, Schulz took over as head coach.

Schulz will remain head coach of the girls and boys track program. Schulz has built that spring sport program into a state power.

The boys has won seven divisional titles in the last 11 years while the girls are two-time defending divisional champions.

The WHS boys have claimed state championships in 1997-98, 2003-04 and 2006. They placed third in 2005.

"When ever a coach resigns, they say it's because of family, to spend more time with their family," Schulz said.

"That is not the reason. Believe me, I love my family, they have been so supportive. But my girls are at the age where they love being the ball girl. It's probably more of a letdown (for them)."

Schulz will remain a teacher in the Whitefish school system.