Glacier grabs Grey for track

If hard work has any effect, the Glacier boys track program is in good hands.

Arie Grey was hired earlier this week as head coach of the Wolfpack.

"Arie brings a work ethic to the position that is admirable. He is well liked by athletes and will expect the best from each of his athletes," said athletic director Mark Dennehy in announcing the hire.

"I'm excited. It's awesome. What a great opportunity. All of us coaches who are getting that opportunity are pretty excited," Grey said.

"How lucky am I?" he asked.

Being a head coach of a start-up program is a dream come true for Grey.

"You get to set the tone for everything. You get to set tradition. You get to help kids. It's going to be a whole lot of fun," he said.

Grey is looking forward to getting to know all the coaches both Glacier and Flathead have hired in recent weeks.

"We're getting some great ones (at Glacier) and Flathead has some great ones. There's going to be great coaches around," he said.

The first order of business for Grey is "we have to get numbers. That's important."

"We need to create some enthusiasm for track and field. We'll get more kids to come out because of the enthusiasm. These kids will get a good quality coaching experience," he added.

"I want this to be a great experience for anybody who comes out.

"There's no special recipe I'm going to try. We as a staff are going to work hard. We want to be a good program."

Grey has been an assistant coach for every season in his four years at Flathead.

A 1997 graduate of Deer Lodge, he was also the offensive coordinator this past fall for the Flathead Brave football team, he has coached both freshman and sophomore for Flathead basketball and is currently an assistant coach (pole vault, long and triple lump) with the Flathead track program.

He plans to continue coaching football at Glacier.

Basketball?

"I'm not sure yet. Three sports is tough, especially if we're trying to build a program in track."

Grey, who earned a degree in social studies broadfield at Montana State University, teaches social studies at Flathead High School and at Kalispell Junior High. He'll teach world history and geography next fall at Glacier High School.

He is engaged to Heidi McGree, a teacher in Ramsey. They'll marry this summer. McGree is hoping to get a teaching job in the Flathead Valley next fall.

Interviews for head coaching positions have concluded for Glacier High School. The school board will review all the recommendations for coaches in May and will act at that time.