Brenden Byrd steps down from Glacier girls’ soccer

Glacier High School will be looking for a new girls’ soccer coach soon, with the Wednesday announcement that Brenden Byrd is stepping down after nine seasons.

The announcement came via email from Glacier activities director Mark Dennehy, and a couple months after Byrd guided Glacier to its first State AA soccer championship. The Wolfpack downed Helena 1-0 for the title on Oct. 29.

Byrd said he made the decision to spend more time with his family: Wife Megan and daughters Scout and Addie.

“It was one of those situations where you never know what year is going to be your last,” Byrd said by telephone Wednesday. “This was kind of the year -- we went out on top, I had a great group of players and the program is in great condition.

“And I have a senior in high school next year (Scout), and a 9-year-old. My wife for the last 14 years has been following me around watching me coach. I figured I’d have a family year before my daughter headed off to college.”

Byrd, whose brother O’Brien coaches the Columbia Falls boys, took over the Wolfpack program in 2012. His first team made the state tournament ahead of four nondescript seasons. Then his 2017 squad, led by Cadie Williams and including freshmen Taylor Brisendine, Kenzie Williams, Emily Cleveland, Ellie Keller and Madison Becker, went 11-5-1 and finished sixth at state.

Following a two-win season in 2018, the Wolfpack bounced back for 11 wins and made the State AA semifinals for the first time in 2019.

“That 2019 season was kind of that big major turning point, to let everyone know that we are going to compete,” Byrd said. “We had our slip-ups in between, but if players were willing to keep coming back I was willing to keep pushing the program forward to what it could be.”

In 2020 the Wolfpack went 13-4 and broke through for the championship. Brisendine had the goal to beat Helena High. Becker scored 42 goals in her Glacier career.

“Brenden developed an amazing culture within our soccer program for the last nine years,” Dennehy said in a statement. “He has touched countless players through his caring demeanor and passion for soccer.

“Brenden will be missed by all our coaches as he has been an integral part of our head coaching team. We wish he and his family well and appreciate his great work. “

A complete won-loss record is not available, though his last four teams went 37-24-6.

Byrd told his players of the decision at a team meeting Wednesday afternoon.

“I can’t thank the community at Glacier enough,” Byrd said. “It’s one of the tougher decisions I’ve had to put in front of myself. It was pretty emotional, telling those girls.”

Dennehy said a search for a new coach would begin soon.