Back into boys basketball

Julio Delgado returns to Whitefish hoops

Julio Delgado, who compiled an impressive 326-123 coaching record in 19 seasons at Whitefish High School, is back on the Bulldog bench.

WHS Activities Director Megan Olson announced Wednesday that Delgado will take over the head coaching duties with the boys basketball program.

"I'm here to try and do my old job," Delgado said. "I'm just going to basically approach it the same way (I always have) - we'll work hard, outwork people."

Delgado replaces Derek Schulz, his former assistant, who stepped down earlier this month after three seasons.

"He's a great guy, a great coach," said Delgado of Schulz. "He's great for kids, he had a lot to offer. He's proven his coaching ability with five state titles in track."

Delgado retired in June of 2000 after building the program into a state power and packing gymnasiums, home and away, on a regular basis. Attendance at WHS games has dwindled, however, from its heyday of 2,000 to 2,500 under Delgado to less than a 1,000.

Since Delgado retired, Whitefish has had only two winning seasons.

"It will be fun," Delgado said. "I don't know how good we will be. We don't have a lot of experience coming back. Our depth is questionable, but we do have some good young talent."

Under Delgado, Whitefish won a state championship in 1991, was a state runner-up twice and finished third five times (1988, 1992, 1996, 1997 and 1999).

The Bulldogs had eight final four appearances in 16 state tournament trips.

WHS also won eight divisional titles and seven conference championships during his tenure.

Delgado was named coach of the year once. He was nominated for the award eight times.

He is a physical education teacher at the high school and also owns an ice business in Evergreen.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," Delgado said. "We'll probably take our beatings early, but by the end of the year, I think we will be playing Bulldog basketball again."

Delgado was 48 when he retired. He was replaced by his longtime assistant coach Tom Bertelsen. Bertelsen stepped down after three seasons.

"I'm tickled to death to be back in green and gold," Delgado said.

"I've had seven years to recharge my battery. I'm looking forward to next year."

Delgado was a starting guard on Whitefish's 1970 state championship team. He was an all-state-performer in basketball and football for the Bulldogs.

He went on to become an All-American shortstop for two seasons at Mesa Community College. Mesa won a national championship in 1972.

He finished up his collegiate career as two-time Nor Pac second baseman at Gonzaga University.

Delgado was also a successful tennis coach at Whitefish and a baseball coach with the Glacier Twins.

The WHS boys won three state tennis championships and finished second once.

He compiled a 542-286 record with the Twins. That included a state championship in 1986 and a runner-up finish in 1996.

"I'm not going to be here forever," Delgado said.

"This is my 30th year of teaching. I'm looking at it one year (teaching) at a time. But you know me, I will give it (coaching) 110 percent and get the job done."

Delgado said Scott Smith will handle the JV coaching duties with Mark Casazza coaching the freshmen.