Byrd's milestone moment on the pitch

Coach O’Brien Byrd describes his time on the pitch at Whitefish High School as being special and memorable.

But when you look at what he’s accomplished in this his 10th season, it’s also been pretty remarkable.

Byrd picked up his 100th head coaching victory last Saturday when Whitefish rallied past rival Columbia Falls for a 5-1 road victory.

Under his watch ...

n Whitefish celebrated back-to-back undefeated seasons from 2006-07.

n Whitefish had a 42-match unbeaten streak snapped by Billings Central, 3-2, in the Class A state semifinals in 2008. The Bulldogs had just one tie during that run, also inflicted in 2008 campaign.

n The Bulldogs have won three state championships — 2006, 2007 and 2012.

n And it all started on a successful note as Byrd took WHS to the state soccer finals in his first season — 2003.

“I’m a lucky guy that fell into this coaching position 10 years ago,” he said.

“And I’m fortunate to have such a supportive soccer community.

“I’ve had (great) assistant coaches and amazing, good players,” he continued.

“My JV coach — Ryan Billiet — basically molds the players and gets them ready for varsity. He has had an amazing impact on them. He deserves an amazing amount of credit.”

This is Billiet’s sixth season with Byrd.

Whitefish, and Byrd, once again are in familiar territory sporting a 7-0 record in league play, 11-0 overall, heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Whitefish entertains Libby on Saturday. The playoffs follow.

“As a coach, the biggest thing for me (last Saturday) wasn’t that — Wow! I coached the Bulldogs to their 100th win,” he said.

“But that I’ve spent an enormous amount of time (doing this). That’s a lot of time on the sidelines. A lot of pregame talks, a lot of emotions. A lot of ups and downs.”

Although he says the 138 matches he’s coached at WHS (101-26-11) “is a more impressive number,” victory No. 100 will certainly be something that he will cherish forever.

“It was a very special moment,” he said.

“I got to relish in the nostalgia. It was a weird day going home.”

He said he didn’t look ahead at No. 100 until he won No. 97 at home versus Polson on Oct. 15.

“I’m always thinking one game at a time,” he said. “But I thought I better recalculate here. Then I look and it’s at Columbia Falls of all places. At my high school. The same field I played on 20 years ago.”

The players honored Byrd with a plaque after the Columbia Falls victory.

“I was on cloud nine,” Byrd said.

“I went into the (Columbia Falls) locker room and it had the same smell. Nothing has changed. There couldn’t have been a better scenario for me.”

Byrd was a two-year starter at forward and outside midfielder for the Wildcats. He was a team captain his junior and senior year and an all-state selection his final season.

“I was so proud of the guys for turning in a heckuva second half performance,” he said.

“It was a relief to (get it over with). Emotionally I was everywhere.”

Byrd played collegiate soccer at McPherson College in McPherson, Kan. He started every game but one while garnering all-conference honors his sophomore year. He was all-conference honorable mention his final two seasons.

Byrd was the team captain his junior and senior years.

“There has always been kind of a leadership thing in my blood,” Byrd said.

“I was pretty fiery, competitive.”

That spirited attitude also got him in trouble for a game his senior season.

“The coach and I had a little disagreement,” Byrd said.

“He benched me. I came on after 20 minutes (to play).

“That was the only game I didn’t start. I’m sure it was well deserved.”

Byrd signed a pro contract with a team in Pennsylvania, but an injury ended that dream.

At the same time, the Whitefish position opened up. He applied and was hired.

“When I accepted that job I got an unbelievable amount of grief for it,” he said from Wildcat fans and his family.

“I tried to explain to them I just want to coach. I don’t care where it is, I just want to coach. I was ready to take this on. The timing couldn’t have been better.”

“The person I look up to as a coach is Jackie Fuller,” he said.

“I first knew her as a coach. She’s my boss now as AD.

“I (admire) her for her success and how she earned it. How she’s motivated kids.

“I haven’t reached that level. Maybe if I’m lucky enough to get there one day, she will be a very important part of my story.”