FHS taps Putzler as soccer coach

Chris Putzler was hired earlier this week as Flathead High School boys' soccer coach.

A JV coach for the past three years, Putzler has taught science at Flathead for eight years. He replaces Eric Sawtelle, who resigned to concentrate on his teaching.

As always, the hiring is pending school board approval.

Putzler graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in zoology. He earned his teaching certificate and masters through Montana State.

He student taught at Flathead in 1999-2000 - and has been there ever since.

His wife Wendy is a Flathead English teacher. The couple have a daughter Ali, 14 months.

'We're pretty fired up that he decided to step up and put his name in the hat for that job," said Flathead athletic director Frank Jobe.

"We think he's going to be a good fit. He's a pretty calm individual. He's ready to get those kids started and moving toward the future.

"He wants to start building on our program right away," Jobe said.

"We have a pretty good tradition of success," the new coach said. He pointed out that the Braves have won Class AA state two of the last three years.

"You look at the MHSA championships and history and how things are done, Flathead is right there. There's a history of success," he said.

"We've got a great group of kids. I'm really looking forward to it. It's kind of nice to step in and know the kids. They know my expectations," Putzler said.

"We do the best we can and enjoy ourselves. I'm the kind of guy who will be one of the first to goof around," he smiled.

But, when it's time to be serious, he's the most intense person out there as well, Putzler hastened to add.

"One of the things I'm going to try to improve is our intensity at practice," he said.

One of the biggest challenges Putzler sees ahead is numbers. With Kalispell split into two schools, athlete turnout is going to be an area in which the coaches will have to work hard.

"We are looking to get our numbers up. I felt the main way to effect those kinds of changes was as varsity coach," Putzler said.

But first things first. Filling Putzler's former job will be the next order of business.

He does have one assistant already. Rob Ford, an assistant last year, has signed up for another season.

"He's an awesome motivator," Putzler said of Ford.