Elliott leaves FHS girls basketball

Kim Elliott, who guided Flathead High School to a third-place finish at the girls state basketball tournament in 2007, has stepped down after three seasons.

"I removed my name for consideration for being the head girls basketball coach," Elliott said Friday.

"I appreciate the opportunity to coach the girls, and wish all the girls in the program well."

The school board accepted his decision Thursday night at its board meeting.

Flathead finished the 2008-09 season with a 2-19 mark overall, 2-10 in Western AA 'sixth place).

The Bravettes advanced to state in Elliott's first season, going 18-7, and placing third. In league play, they were 8-4.

Elliott's second season, Flathead posted a 7-5 mark in league play, went 13-10 overall. The Bravettes dropped two games at state.

Elliott will continue as head golf coach at FHS. He teaches 8th grade science at Kalispell Middle School.

"It was one of those things where he's the head basketball coach, head golf coach," Flathead activities director Frank Jobe said.

"There is a whole lot of stuff on his plate. I don't know if that was the reason (or not).

"He's helped us out the last couple of years and now we're going to go in a different direction," Jobe continued.

"I hope somebody else is out there that is ready to step up and get after it."

Jobe would like to fill the position before summer. He said finding a replacement may hinge on teacher openings at the school.

"That's always a challenge," Jobe said.

"We'll just keep working on it, move forward, be positive, take care of our kids."