Mac Roche approved as Flathead grid coach
The Flathead Braves have their new football coach, and he started building his pedigree not far from Legends Stadium.
Whitefish native Mac Roche was officially hired to coach the Braves during the Kalispell School District school board meeting Tuesday. The board also approved the hiring of Jaimie Nelson as Glacier High School’s volleyball coach.
Roche was a decorated athlete at Whitefish High School who went on to start at quarterback for Carroll College from 2014-15. He’s returning to the Flathead Valley after 18 months teaching and coaching in South Carolina.
“I am extremely grateful and excited to take on the position as head football coach at Flathead High School,” Roche said in a district release. “There is a long tradition of pride and success at Flathead High, and I look forward to leading the football team to work towards excellence both on and off the field. My wife Sheila, and our two children, Emelia and Archer, are also excited to join the Flathead Brave community.
“Growing up in the Flathead Valley, I have a deep respect and admiration for this school, program and community. Throughout the interview process, I was very impressed with the vision that the administration, staff and players have for Flathead football.”
Roche began his coaching career in 2016, when he became quarterbacks coach and later activities director at Missoula Loyola. In his three seasons at Loyola the Rams advanced to two State B title games.
He returned to Whitefish in 2019 and taught special education while being quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the football Bulldogs. In that time Whitefish went 24-15.
He left in 2023 to teach PE and coach strength and conditioning at Phillip Simmons High School in Charleston, S.C. He was also an assistant for the football team, which went 9-1 in 2024.
Now he’s back, coaching about 15 minutes away from his high school alma mater. He said by phone he’ll finish out the school year at Phillips Simmons, then start the move back to Montana by June 1.
“We were visiting family over the Christmas holiday,” Roche told the Inter Lake on Thursday evening. “We read about the position at flathead being open and my wheels started turning. I came up and interviewed last week and it was a really, really good experience for me, to be on campus. I was very impressed.”
“We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Mac Roche as the new Braves football coach,” Matt Allison, assistant principal and AD for Flathead, said. “His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his proven ability to build strong, positive team cultures, makes him an excellent fit for our program.”
Roche replaces Caleb Aland, who was dismissed after three seasons, including an 0-9 campaign in 2024. Since Kyle Samson led the Braves to the 2018 State AA title game, a 20-14 loss at Billings West, Flathead has won five games in six seasons.
“Coach Roche is dedicated to not only developing athletes on the field but also fostering the growth of young men who will excel in life beyond football,” Allison said. “We are confident that his leadership will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes, and we are excited about his commitment to being here for the long haul, building a program that will thrive for years to come."