Sullivan, Timm step away from coaching at Glacier

Change is in the air for the Glacier High School girls basketball team and the Glacier and Flathead High School joint swim teams.

Bill Sullivan is leaving after three years as head coach of the girls basketball program.

Ethan Timm, coach of the Flathead and Glacier swim teams, is moving on after one year at the helm of those programs.

Glacier’s assistant principal and activities director Mark Dennehy announced the changes on Tuesday.

“We appreciate Bill’s efforts this past three years for the Pack as he brought a strong commitment, intensity, and a keen understanding of the game,” Dennehy said of Sullivan.

“Under his leadership, the Pack defeated top tier teams each of his three seasons and was a formidable team making the state tournament the last three years. We wish Bill the best.”

Sullivan coached Glacier to a 37-36 record during his tenure. The Wolfpack was the only team to defeat three-time Class AA state champion Helena High this season.

Sullivan cited family as a reason for his departure. His own kids are beginning to play sports and he wants to be able to attend more of their events.

“I love coaching basketball and I love the relationships I made,” Sullivan said.

“But it’s hard to be spending all that time even though it’s something I love doing and it’s not with your own kids. I get to watch my own kids grow which is pretty important.”

Timm is heading to Florida this summer to attend nursing school.

“I thought it was a great experience, great group of kids,” Timm said.

“The program has grown and I hope it continues to grow. Even though it’s an individual sport, there’s a team dynamic that I’ve observed over the years.”

A 19-year resident of the Flathead, Timm said his parents still live in the area, so he will return to visit family occasionally, and his ties to the area make the move bittersweet.

Timm graduated from Flathead and was involved in the swimming program for several years before becoming a head coach.

“Ethan did an outstanding job of bridging the high school swim programs with the Kats program,” Dennehy said.

“Although this was Ethan’s first year, he performed like a seasoned veteran in multiple capacities for both programs.”

Dennehy said the search for replacements for both coaches have already begun.