Owen to coach Flathead wrestling

A name synonymous with wrestling in Montana and the Pacific Northwest is taking over the head coaching duties at Flathead High School.

Matt Owen has accepted the Braves' coaching position pending school board approval. FHS activities director Frank Jobe made the announcement on Thursday.

Owen's uncle, Bob Owen, is the head wrestling coach at Polson. Owen's dad, Bill, is an assistant wrestling coach at Polson and the head golf coach.

"He (dad) was pretty pumped for me," Owen said.

"That's one of the reasons I always wanted to be a coach and go into coaching. He's been my role model forever. To follow in his footsteps is pretty huge for me."

Matt Owen was an assistant coach at Glacier High School last year and an assistant at FHS the year before.

"I'm very excited," Owen said.

"It's a great opportunity."

Owen replaces Jeff Thompson, who resigned recently. Thompson led FHS to three straight Class AA state championships and a top-10 national ranking.

"We had quite a bit of interest from all across the country," Jobe said.

"One of the biggest issues, we don't have a lot of teaching jobs available. That was kinda tough. But just looking at the potential of where Matt Owen could go with it, I think we did a great job being able to get him."

Owen is a middle school math teacher in the school district.

"We interviewed a couple of guys," Jobe said. "We just thought he would be a great fit for the program. He's a young guy, he's got a pretty good knowledge base. I think he will do really well here."

Owen will most likely meet with Flathead's wrestlers today.

"Tell them what my goals will be for the team in the upcoming year," he said.

"Things I want them to be doing over the summer, different camp opportunities they can take advantage of, just getting to know the kids better."

Owen was a Class A state champ his junior year at Polson at 145 pounds. He was a state runner-up as a sophomore, 140, and placed third twice, 135 as a freshman and 152 as a senior (1999).

Owen accepted a wrestling scholarship to North Idaho College, where he wrestled two years.

"It wasn't an easy decision" Owen said of leaving Glacier. "Not the easiest. When I was working up at Glacier, it was a pretty sweet deal. I was working with great people. They have good coaches up there. That is hard to leave.

"Again, it's a huge opportunity," he continued.

"There are not many times you step into a nationally ranked team. They were extremely tough last year."

Owen, 28, has three uncles who are head wrestling coaches in Spokane, and his cousin Corey Owen was just named the head wrestling coach at Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene.