Dryden steps down as WHS head football coach

Patrick Dryden, who led Whitefish to three Class A football playoff appearances in his four seasons as head coach, has resigned.

Dryden submitted his letter of resignation to school officials on Monday.

“Right after the Christmas break,” Dryden said when he came to terms with his decision.

“I wanted to think about it over the holiday break.”

Dryden’s head coaching record at WHS was 18-20. The Bulldogs finished 1-3 in Northwestern A and 4-4 overall last fall and did not advance to the playoffs.

“A very long time,” Dryden said of coaching.

“My son finished his (prep) career last year. When he was born, I (decided) I would stay with it until he was through, but I threw in one extra year. It’s been 25 years of coaching. Thirteen of the 25 have been in Whitefish.”

Dryden came to Whitefish after a very successful stint at Salmon, Idaho, where he led the Savages to a 50-25-1 record in eight seasons. Salmon advanced to the playoffs seven times during his stay and won five conference championships.

“Just running out of energy,” Dryden said of why the time was right to leave coaching.

“It just seemed harder every year.

“You hear this from every coach — how high school sports have become year-around activities. I haven’t had an autumn to enjoy, now it’s cutting into your summer.”

Dryden said he plans to do more “kayaking, and spending a lot of time in Glacier Park.

    “I’m just excited about the next chapter in my life,” he continued.

“It’s time to end this one and move on to the next one. To see what life has in store for me next.”

Dryden’s recent engagement also was a factor in his decision.

“I’m getting married to a wonderful woman (Noelle),” he said.

“I’m very excited about our future.”

Looking back, Dryden said there were two Whitefish games he will remember forever.

“Being the defensive coordinator and shutting out the Sidney Eagles in Sidney,” he said.

“That put us in the state championship game in 2001. It kind of ended the dynasty in Sidney.”

And as head coach ...

“Beating Libby last year for the first time in five years,” he said.

“They have a great program there, and to finally get that monkey off our back in a real exciting game to get us in the playoffs.”

Dryden will continue to teach eighth-grade history in Whitefish and coach eighth-grade basketball.

“(Whitefish) is an outstanding place to teach,” he said.

“It has been pretty difficult teaching at one building and coaching at another.”

Prior to taking over the head coaching position with the football program, Dryden led WHS to a historic run in tennis. In a span of five years, his Bulldogs won one state championship, placed second twice and third twice.

He was the head tennis coach at WHS for 10 seasons.

 “I wanted to stay away from the term burned out,” Dryden added on why he’s stepping away from football.

“I wanna take care of my health. Being a Stage 3 colon cancer survivor, five years ago, I reached a milestone and have had nothing but good news since then.”

Dryden said he’s been blessed to have worked with many talented coaches over the years. He’s also enjoyed a close working relationship with former WHS Principal Kent Paulson, who is now the Commissioner of the Frontier Conference, and current WHS Activities Director Jackie Fuller.

“Two of my biggest supporters,” he said.

“Two administrators who understand the coaching world. It was a real pleasure to work with both of those people.”